


















































































































PINKERTON’S 


GEOGRAPHY, 


EPITOMISED, 

F<^i: the use of SCHOOLS. 


BY DAVID pOYLE. 



WHEREIN 


The arrangement of the Original is faithfully preserved* 
In the description of the United States^ each state is more 
systematically described-^ than in any nvork of the kind here^ 
t of ore published* .. • 

THIS COMPILATION IS PUBLISHED AT THE REQ_UESTi 
AND UNDER THE INSPECTION OF >I^NY 
RESPECTABLE TEACHERS. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

Printed for Samuel F. Bradford, No. 4, S. Third Street, 










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District of Pe7i7isyhania, to tuit.' 

BE it remembered, That on the eleventh day of March, in the 
twenty-ninth Year of the Independence of the United States of 
America, A. D. 1805. David Doyle, of the said District, hath 
deposited in this Office, the Title of a Book, the right whereof he 
claims as Author, in the words following, to wit: 

“ Pinkerton’s Geography, epitomised, for the use of schools. By 
“ David Doyle. Wherein the arrangement of the original is 
“faithfully preserved. Ip the description of the United States, 
“each sta^te is more systematically described, than in any work 
“ of the kind heretofore published. This compilation is publish- 
“ed at the request, and under the inspection of many respectable 
“ teachers. 

In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, in¬ 
tituled, “ An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing 
the Copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Pro¬ 
prietors of such Copies during the Times therein mentioned,” And 
also to the Act, entitled “ An Act supplementary to an Act, en¬ 
titled, an Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the 
Copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprie¬ 
tors of such Copies during the Times therein mentioned. And 
extending the Benefits thereof to the Arts of designing, engraving, 
and etching historical and other Prints.” 

(L.S.) D. CALDWELL, 

CierJt of the District of Pe7xnsyboa7xia. 


RECOMMENDATIONS 


I HAVE perused Mr. David Doyle’s abridgment of Pinker¬ 
ton’s Geography with as much attention as my business would per¬ 
mit ; and think it better calculated for the general use of schools 
than any work of the kind I have seen. The arrangement of the 
Astronomical part apjrears to me, well fitted for the improvement 
of pupils; and I am of opinion, that it may also be used with ad¬ 
vantage by geographical classes, as a reading book to prepare them 
for their examinations. 

PETER DELAMAR, Master of the Mer> 
cantile^ Mathematical^ and Nautical Aca¬ 
demy, Zachary’s court, Walnut street. 

February 28, 1805. 


AFTER a careful perusal of D. Doyle^s Epitome of Pinkerton^a 
Geography, I am of opinion, that it will have a great tendency to 
facilitate the study of geography. His systematic arrangement, 
will, I think, make such impression upon the minds of youth as 
not to be easily eflfaced: it must of course be a very useful book for 
our schools, and as such would recommend it to gentlemen engaged 
in the important duties of instructing youth. 

TALBOT HAMILTON. 
Teacher of Naniigationy 
Dock street. 


I HAVE examined Pinkerton’s Geography epitomized by D. 
Doyle, with as much attention as my time would pemiit, and am 
highly pleased with it. The arrangement appears to be judicious; 
and the divisions. Historical, Political, See. &c. simple. In my 
opinion, its introduction into our schools, would tend to facilitate 
the progress of the learner. 

ANDREW BROWN, Principal of 
the Toung Ladies Academy, in Fifth 
st. opposite the State House Yard. 


HAVING attentively read and examined D. Doyle’s Epitome 
of Pinkerton^s Geography, for the use of schools, I am highly pleased 
with it, and am of opinion, that by its judicious arrangement, it 
will be very useful in our schools, and greatly facilitate the learner’s 
progress. 

LAUR. ENNIS, Principal of St, Mary'*s schaoL 





PREFACE 


IF the importance and utility of Geography, in pro¬ 
moting trade and navigation, and its subserviency to the 
aggrandizement of a nation be considered, it must seem 
a matter of astonishment, that it is not more generally 
adopted, as one of the first objects in a system of Ame¬ 
rican education. The knowledge of the world in gene¬ 
ral, and of the different countries in particular, in re¬ 
gard to their extent and boundaries; their governments, 
laws, and political importance; the manners and cus¬ 
toms of their inhabitants; their language, literature, 
manufactures, and commerce; their climates and sea¬ 
sons; botany, zoology. See. must be allowed to be of 
the greatest importance: it is a most interesting and en¬ 
tertaining study to all ranks, and in every condition of 
life. The warrior and the statesman find the study of 
it indispensably necessary, to the acquisition of a clue 
knowleclge of the situation and extent of the countries 
to which they belong; and of their relative strength and 
interest. The lawyer, the divine, and the man of letters, 
derive peculiar satisfaction from it; in being made ac¬ 
quainted with the several renowned cities mentioned in 
ancient history, and in the holy scriptures; as well as be¬ 
ing enabled to trace the voyages of the first heroes of 
the admired classics, &c. 

To render the science agreeable, and to facilitate the 
attainment of it, is the design of this Epitome of Pin-- 
kerton's Geography; which contains a more systematic, 
though compendious course of the whole science of geo¬ 
graphy, than any work of the kind extant. 

The present work contains the astronomical defini¬ 
tions, indispensably necessary to a clear knowledge of 
Geography; comprehending an illustration of the solar 

A2 


VI 


PREFACE. 


system, with the several planets; shewing their magni¬ 
tude, their distance from the sun, their respective peri¬ 
odical revolutions about their axes, and their motions in 
their orbits. 

Then follows the use of the globes and maps, with an 
explanation of the terms used, not only in geography, 
but likewise in astronomy. The geography of America 
is next taken into view, in describing which, the author 
has been rather diffuse; particularly in that of the United 
States; a thorough knowledge of it, being, in his opinion, 
more interesting, and essentially necessary to the citizens 
thereof, than that of any other country. In describing 
the other parts of the globe, he has been as concise as a 
W'ork of this nature will admit. 

It being well known, that all teachers, of any celebrity, 
who profess to teach geography, make use of maps on 
a large scale, and separate from any books, for the in¬ 
struction of their pupils; the proprietor has therefore 
thought it entirely useless, and unnecessary, to burthen 
this work with any other, than a general map of the 
world. 

The Compiler has been induced to undertake the pre¬ 
sent work, from a consciousness that an exact abridgment 
of Modern Geography has, for a long time, been highly 
necessary for the instruction of youth, in the American 
seminaries: and he has taken Mr. Pinkerton’s for his 
model, which, from the universal applause it has re¬ 
ceived from the learned, not only on account of its judi¬ 
cious and instructive arrangement, but for its exact¬ 
ness of description and interesting information, may be 
pronounced to be the most correct system of the kind, 
yet published. 

As the chief object of the wmrk now offered to the pub¬ 
lic, is utility, it is unnecessary to expatiate farther on the 
subject: its merit is submitted to the judgment of the 
experienced teachers, whose encouragement, if they find 
it adapted to the purpose for which it is intended, the 
author begs leave to claim. 


INTRODUCTION. 


GEOGRAPHY being founded upon the principles of 
ASTRONOMY, as familiar an explanation of the latter 
science, as may be necessary, for understanding the 
former, shall therefore be given. 

THE SOLAR SYSTEM. 

The Sun is a vast body, the fountain of light and 
heat, and is placed in the centre of the system; about 
'which, the planets revolve in the following order, reck¬ 
oning from the Sun: Mercury^ Fenus, the Earthy Mars^ 
Ju/iiter^ Saturn^ and Hcrschel or the Georgian planet: they 
are called primary planets, some of which have other bo¬ 
dies moving round them. 

The Earth has one; Jupiter foiir; Saturn seven; and 
the Georgian planet six: these are called secondary 
planets, satellites, or moons. 

There are also other bodies which revolve about the 
sun, called Comets, they move in orbits very elliptical, 
and extend to a great distance beyond the orbits of the 
primary planets. 

The Primary Planets^ Secondary Planets^ and 

Comets^ compose what is called the Solar System, 

The two planets that are nearer to the sun than the 
earth is, are called Inferior Planets; and the other five 
which are farther from the sun than the earth is, are 
called Sujiei'ior Planets, 

All the other bodies in the celestial expanse, as yet 
known, are called Fixed Stars, and at such immense 
distances beyond the solar system, that their apparent 
relative situations, are not at ail altered by the motion 
cf the earth in its orbit: we may therefore consider them 
as placed in the concave surface of a sphere, having the 
earth for its centre; and to tiiese we refer the motions 
of the bodies in our system. 


8 


INTRODUCTION- 


The orbits of the primary planets are ellipses, having 
the sun in one of the foci; but they are so very nearly 
circles, that, for our present purpose, we may consider 
them as such, having the sun in the centre- 


OF THE ROTATION, OF THE SUN 

AND PLANETS. 


1. THE SUN. 0 

The times of rotation of the sun and planets, about 
their respective axes, are determined by certain spots 
which are observed upon their surfaces; either by find¬ 
ing the arch, which is described in a given time, by a 
spot, or by observing how long it is in passing over the 
whole disk. 

From observing the motion of the spots, the time of 
the Sun’s rotation is determined to be 25 days, 14 hours, 
and 8 minutes. Its diameter is about 89,000 miles: 
Solid contents nearly 1,200,000 times larger than that 
of our earth. 

The motion of the planets round their axes is called 
their diurnal motion ; and that round the sun, their annual 
motion; both of which are performed from west to east. 


2. MERCURY. ^ 
Diameter, about 3000 miles. 

Distance from the sun, 36,841,468. 
Revolution ^ ^^^^ut its axis unknown. 




’ound the sun, in 87 days 23 hours. 
Motion in its orbit, 100,000 miles per hour. 


3. VENUS. 9 
Diameter, 9,330 miles. 

Distance from the sun, 68,891,486. 


Revolution 


about its axis, in 23 hours 21 minutes, 
round the Sun, in 224 days 17 hours. 
Motion in its orbit, 69,000 miles per hour. 

It has two summers and two winters in one revolution._ 

It crosses our ecliptic at the 14th degree of Gemini 
and Sagittarius, and makes an angle with the ecliptic 
of 3 degrees 23 minutes 30 seconds. 


INTRODUCTION. 


9 


Diameter, 


4. EARTH. 0 

At the equator, 8,010 miles. 

At the poles, 7886 miles. 

Distance from the Sun, about 95,173,127 miles. 

About its axis, in 24 hours, which con¬ 
stitutes one natural day. 

Revolution Round the Sun, in 365 days, 5 hours, 
and 49 minutes, which is the period 
of our year. 

Motion in its orbit, 60,000 miles per hour. 

Its axis is inclined 23^ degrees from a perpendicular 
to its orbit, making an angle with the ecliptic of 66^ 
degrees. Hence arise the diversity of seasons, and the 
variation in the length of the days and nights. 


5. MARS. 0^ 

Diameter, 5,400 miles. 

Distance from the Sun, about 145,014,148. 

r About its axis, in 24 hours and 40 min. 
Revolutions Round the Sun, in 1 year 321 days, 17 
{_ hours. 

Motion in its orbit, 50,000 miles per hour. 


6. JUPITER. 3/ 

Diameter, 94,000 miles. 

Distance from the Sun, 494,990,976 miles. 

r About its axis, in 9 hours and 56 min. 
Revolutions Round the Sun, in 11 years, 314 days, 
(_ and 18 hours, attended by 4 moons. 
Motion in its orbit, 30,000 miles per hour. 


7. SATURN. \2 

Diameter, 78,000 miles. 

Distance from the Sun, 907,957,130 miles. 

^ About its axis, in 10 hours 16 minutes, 
•p , . ' Round the Sun, in 29 years, 167 days 6 

e\o u ion \ hours; attended by 5 moons, besides a 
U luminous ring. 

Motion in its orbit, 18,000 miles per hour. 


10 


INTRODUCTION. 


8. GEORGIUM SIDUS, GEORGIAN PLANET 
OR OUR ANUS. 

Discovered in 1783 by Mr. Herschel. 

Diameter 35,109 miles. 

Distance from the Sun, nearly twice that of Saturn. 

Revolution round the Sun, in about 83 years and 140 
days. 

. THE MOON 

Is about two hundred and forty thousand miles distant 
from the earth, and revolves round the earth and its own 
axis in the same time: viz. in 27 days, 7 hours, and 
forty-three minutes: but as the earth has advanced in 
the ecliptic during that time, the moon cannot come in 
conjunction till two days, five hours, and two minutes 
after i so that from clicinge to change there are about 
twenty-nine days, twelve hours, and forty-five minutes. 
Daily motion in its orbit 13 degrees, 10 minutes. Dia¬ 
meter 2,180 miles. Motion 22,290 miles per hour. Its 
orbit crosses the ecliptic in two points called nodes, and 
extends 5| degrees to the north and south. The near¬ 
est distance of the moon to the earth is called perigee 
jind its greatest apogee. 

OF THE CIRCLES OF THE GLOBE. 

The Artificial Globe represents the world, as it is consti¬ 
tuted of land and water; and turns round a diameter, the 
extreme points of which are called its poles. The one 
the north, the other the s'outh pole. To the globe belong 
six lai'ge circles, viz. the horizon, the meridian, the 
equator, the ecliptic, the equinoctial and solstitial co¬ 
lures : and four small circles, viz. the two tropics, and 
the two polar circles. 

7'Iie horizon is either sensible, or rational. The sensi¬ 
ble horizon is that circle which Terminates our view when 
W'e look around us in any open space. The rational hori¬ 
zon is a circle parallel to the former, dividing the earth 
into tw^o equal parts, and is represented by that wooden 
frame round a globe, called the horizon. On this frame 
are described three circles; on the outermost are.marked 


INTRODUCTION. 


1 


the 12 calendai’ months; on the next, the signs of the zo¬ 
diac; on the innermost the rhumbs, or points of the 
compass. 

The Meridian is a circle on which the latitude or the 
distance of any place from the equator is reckoned. It 
divides the globe into eastern and western hemispheres: 
it is called the meridian, because when the sun comes 
to it, or rather, when a place of the earth comes to the 
meridian passing through the sun, it is twelve o’clock, 
or noon, at that place. 

The Rquatovy Equinox or Equinoctial line is a circle 
which divides the globe into northern and southern 
hemispheres; and on which the longitude is reckoned. 
It is called the equinox, because when the sun comes to 
it, the days and nights are every where equal. This 
circle is sometimes called the line, especially by mariners. 

The EclifUic is that circle in which the earth makes its 
revolution round the sun. It crosses the equator at the 
beginning of the signs Aries and Libra, which are call¬ 
ed the equinoctial points. The earth enters the sign 
Aries on the 20th of March, which is the period of the 
vernal or spring equinox. It enters the sign Libra on 
the 22d of September, which is the period of the autum¬ 
nal equinox. The ecliptic is divided into twelve constel¬ 
lations, called the signs of the zodiac, and contain each 
30 degrees. 

The Zodiac is an imaginary space, about 5i degrees in 
breadth: in the middle of which is the ecliptic. 


SPRING AND SUMMER SIGNS, 


North of the Equator, 




12 INTRODUCTION. 

AUTUMNAL AND WINTER SIGNS, 



South 

of the lujuator. 


1 ( 

f 7 lAhra^ 

sjv: the Scales, 

Sept. 22. 

1 

8 Scorfiioy 

ttl the. Scorpion, 

Oct. 23. 


1 9 Sagittarius, 

/ the Archer 

Nov. 22. 


r 10 Caliricom, 

>5 the Goat, 

Dec. 22. 

1 

11 .Aquarius, 

CJJ" Water Bearer, 

Jan. 20. 

k 1 

L 12 Pisces, 

X the Fishes. 

Feb. 19. 


Or thus: 

“The Ram, the Bull, the heavenly Twins, 

“And next the Crab, the Lion shines, 

“The Virgin and the Scales; 

“The Scorpion, Archer, and He-Goat, 

“The Man who holds the Wat'ring-pot, 

“ And Fish with glittering tails.” 

The sun always appears in the opposite sign to that in 
which the earth is, that is, when the earth is in Capri¬ 
corn, we say the sun is in Cancer. 

OF THE RECESSION AND PROCESSION 
OF THE EQUINOXES. 

This is a retrograde motion, which the equinoctial 
points have directly contrary to the order of the signs to 
which they belong; i. c. they recede or go back from east 
to west, instead of proceeding from west to east, at the 
rate of one degree in 72 years. This is the reason why 
the constellations are now advanced before their signs, 
which will be continually changing their situations, and 
consequently, their constellations, till the expiration of 
25,920 years=72x360, in which time the equinoctial 
points will have made one entire revolution; when the signs 
and their constellations will fall together again. This 
period of time is called the platonic year. Aries is 
now moved to the sign Taurus and Taurus to Gemi¬ 
ni n, and Gemini to Cancer 25, &c. 

THE TWO COLURES. 

The solstitial colure passes through the poles, and the 
signs Cancer and Capricorn: these two signs are called 


INTRODUCTION. 


13 


the summer and winter solstices. The equinoctial co- 
lure passes through the poles and the signs Aries and 
Libra. 

LESSER CIRCLES. 


Trofiicf, 


Cancer, 

Capricorn, 


•0 •'11 o 


5 North } 
I South 5 


from the equator. 


T/ie Tnvo Polar Circles are 23^” distant from either pole. 
That at the north is called the arctic, that at the south the 
antarctic circle. The hour circle on the globe is a small 
circle, having the poles in the centre, and is generally' 
marked on the globe under the meridian with an index, 
pointing to the hours. The quadrant of altitude is a 
narrov/ thin piece of brass, divided into 90 degrees, and 
made to screw on the meridian, always in the zenith; 
it serves to determine the altitude, azimuths, 8cc. of the 
celestial bodies, and the bearing and distance of places. 

* To source globes there is another thin plate of brass, 
called the semicircle of position, which is divided into 
180 degrees, anstvering to one half of the horizon: its 
use is nearly the same as that of the quadrant of alti¬ 
tude. The Mariner’s Compass is a circle divided into 
32 parts, called rhumbs or points, by which we discover 
how one place is situate in respect to another, which is 
called its bearing. The other circles on the globe, which 
arc parallel to the equator, are called parallels of latitude. 

There are certain large tracts on the earth called zones, 
of which there are five, viz. 

The Two Frigid Zones are contained within the polar 
circles. 

The Two Temfierate Zones are contained betv/een each 
tropic and polar circle, and are 43 degrees in breadth. 

One Tornd Zone is contained between the two tropics, 
and is 47 degrees in breadth. 


CLIMATES 

Arc portions of the earth’s surface of such a breadth, 
that the longest day in one exceeds t'lat in the other by 
half an hour, beginning at the equalcr, where the day 
is 12 hours in length. At latitude 3 degrees 25 minutes 


14 


INTRODUCTION. 


the longest day is 12^ hours, tvhich is the end of the 
first climate. The second climate ends at 16 degrees 
25 minutes where the longest day is 13 hours. The 
third ends at 23 degrees 50 minutes where the longest 
day is 13-1 hours. The fourth ends at 30 degrees 25 
minutes where the longest day is 14 hours, i he fifth 
ends at 36 degrees 28 minutes where the longest day is 
14-| hours. The sixth ends at 41 degrees 22 minutes 
where'the longest day is 15 hours. The seventh ends 
at 45 degrees 30 minutes where the longest day is 15^ 
hours. The eighth ends at 49 degrees I minute where 
the longest day is 16 hours. The ninth ends at 52 de¬ 
grees where the longest day is I6i hours. Thus, on 
reckoning a climate for every half hour till we come to 
the polar circles in 66 degrees 30 minutes where the 
longest day is 24 hours. ITorn the polar circles to the 
poles, the days increase by a month each. Thus at 
67 degrees 22 minutes the day is one month. At 69 
degrees 48 minutes the day is two months. At 73 de¬ 
grees 37 minutes the day is three months. At 78 de¬ 
grees 30 minutes the day is four months. At 84 degrees 
5 minutes the day is five months. At the pole or 90 
degrees the day is six months. There are thirty cli¬ 
mates on each side of the equator, viz. Between the 
equator and each polar circle there are 24 half hour cli¬ 
mates. Between each polar circle and pole 6 month cli- 
mates= 30. 

To know the climate of any given place, find the 
length of the longest day. The number of lialf hours 
it exceeds 12 hours will be the number of the climate. 

TERMS USED IN ASTRONOMY. 

Twilight is that faint illumination observed before sun 
rising, and after sun setting. It commences in the morn¬ 
ing when the sun is within 18 degrees of the horizon, and 
continues till it rises. In the evening it continues from 
sun setting till it is 18 degrees below the horizon. It 
is occasioned by the refraction of the atmosphere*, the 
solar rays being thereby repelled back upon the earth. 

The Zenith is that point in the heavens exactly over 


INTRODUCTION. 15 

The Midir is that point under our feet, diametrically 
©r directly opposite to the zenith. 

Declination is the distance of the sun, or of any star, 
from the equator, aiid is either north or south. 

Jscension is an arch.of the equator contained between 
the sign Aries and that degree of the equator which is 
cut by the meridian w hen the sun, or star, comes to the 
meridian. 

Unique Jscension is that arch of the equator contained 
between the sign Aries, and the degree of the equator 
cut by the horizon, at the rising of the sun or star. , 

^ Oblique Descension is the same degree, &c. at the set¬ 
ting of the sun or star. Subtract the oblique from the 
right ascension, and it gives the ascensional dilference; 
w hich, being reduced to time, by dividing 15 degrees, 
shews how much before or after six the sun or star rises 
or sets. Culminating of an object in the heavens, is the 
time when it arrives at the meridian of the place tvherc 
the observation is made. 

Amjditude is an arch contained between the east or 
west points of the horizon, and the sun, star. See. at rising 
or setting. 

Azimuth is the bearing of the sun or star from either 
north or south point of the horizon, at any time when 
the sun or star is above the horizon. 

Angle of Position is the angle formed between the me¬ 
ridian of a given place, and a vertical or azimuth circle, 
passing from the zenith through the said place to the 
horizon. 

Latitude is the distance of any place from the equator; 
and is either north or south, and can never exceed 90 de¬ 
grees, which is the distance of the poles from the equator. 

N. B. The latitude of the heavenly bodies is their dis¬ 
tance from the ecliptic, and not from the equator. 

Longitude is an arch of the equator, contained between 
a certain meridian and a given place, and is either east or 
west; and can never exceed 180 degrees 'which is equal 
to half the circumference of the earth. 


16 


INTRODUCTION. 


N. B. The longitude of the heavenly bodies is an arch 
of the ecliptic, reckoning from the point Aries. 

Cardinal Points are the four principal points of the 
horizon, called North,'South, East, and West. 

OF THE POSITIONS OF THE SPHERE. 

A Parallel Sphere is when the equator is even or pa¬ 
rallel with the horizon having one pole in the zenith and 
the other in the nadir. The inhabitants of this sphere 
live within the polar circles. 

A Right Sphere is when the equator cuts the horizon 
perpendicularly or at right angles. The inhabitants of 
this sphere live under the equator. 

An Oblique Sphere is when the equator cuts the horizon 
obliquely in any position between a right and parallel 
sphere. The inhabitants of this sphere live in the tem¬ 
perate zone. 

The inhabitants of the earth are distinguished accor¬ 
ding to their relative situations, viz. 

MAPS. 

A map is the representation of the whole or a part of 
the surface of the earth on a plane superficies. Coun¬ 
tries and kingdoms arc separated on a map by small 
dots, and the towns are denoted by a small o, with the 
name or a figure of reference affixed thereto. Rivers 
are described by crooked black lines, and are wider to¬ 
wards the mouth than towards the source. Mountains 
are expressed as in a picture. Forests by small shrubs. 
The sea coast or shore is denoted by black shades 
sketched in the sea, See. The boundaries of a country 
are whatever touches it, rvhether land or w^ater. The 
degrees of latitude are marked at the sides of the map; 
those of longitude at the top and bottom. On looking 
on a map, the Top is the north, the Bottom the south, 
the Right hand the east, the Left hand the west. A 
map representing the sea coasts, Sjc. is called a chart. 


INTRODUCTION. 17 

OF THE USE OF THE TERRESTRIAL 
GLOBE AND MAPS. 

PROBLEM I. 

ON THE TERRESTRIAL GLOBE. 

To rectify the globe. 

Elevate or raise the pole as high above the horizon as 
the place is distant from the equator, 

PROBLEM IL 

To fnd the latitude of any place, 

ON THE GLOBE. 

Seek the place, and bring it to the meridian; the de¬ 
gree thereon, over the place, will be its distance from 
the equator, or latitude. 

ON THE MAP. 

Seek the place, and guide your finger, &c. (parallel 
with the lines) to either side where the degrees are mark¬ 
ed: they will shew the distance from the equator. 

PROBLEM III. 

To fnd the longitude^ 

ON THE GLOBE. 

Seek the place, and bring it to the meridian; the 
degree of the equator which is cut by the meridian is the 
longitude required. 

ON THE MAP. 

Se^k the place, and take your finger either to the top or 
bottom where the degrees are marked, and they will shew 
the longitude, or distance from the meridian, east or 
west. 

PROBLEM IV. 

The latitude and longitude given, to fnd the place, 

ON THE GLOBE. 

Bring the degree of longitude (on the equator) to the 
meridi-in: then under the meridian at tlie given latitude 
will be the place required. 

b2 


13 


INTRODUCTION. 


ON THE MAP. 

Seek the longitude, and take your finger from the top 
or bottom till it comes opposite to the latitude given: 
the point of intersection will be the place required. 


I'- 


will 
give the 
difference 


PROBLEM V. 

To Jind the difference of latitude between t%vo places 
Find the latitude of each place. 

fboth north or > subtract one 
Tf ’ J south 3 fi’oiTi the other 

ley aie<^ north and ^ add one to the 
l^the other south 5 other 
PROBLEM VI. 

To fnd the difference of longitude. 

Seek the longitude of each place. 

('both east or 
both west 

one east and 1 add them to 


If they are<| 


subtract one . 

fromtheother ! “l."* 


Lthe other west 5 gether 
PROBLEM VII. 


J>the differ¬ 
ence. 


7720 hour of the day being given^ to find what o'clock it is 
at another place. 


ON THE GLOBE. 

Bring the given place to the meridian, and set the in¬ 
dex to the given hour; then turn the globe till the other 
place comes to the meridian, the index will shew the 
hour at that place. 

ON THE MAP. 


Find the difference of longitude between the given 
place and that where the hour is required; which longi¬ 
tude, being reduced into time by allowing 15 degrees 
for every hour, will give the hour required. 

r Easterly, it is later"! than at the 
< Westerly, it is ear- L 
^ lier 


If the place where the 
hour is required be 




given 

place. 


The circumference of the earth (360 degrees) being 
divided by 24 (hours,) in which time the earth turns 


INTRODUCTION. 


19 


round on its axis, the quotient will be 15 degrees of 
the equator, which passes before the sun every hour. 

Now as the sun enlightens only one half of the earth’s 
surface at one time, and the rotation of the earth being 
from west to east, it follows that* the sun must necessa¬ 
rily rise at some places when it sets or disappears to 
others, &c. therefore a place that is 15 degrees to the east 
will have- the sun in the meridian one hour sooner than 
another place that is 15 degrees to the west. 

PROBLEM VIII. 

7b find the distance between two filaces, 

ON THE GLOBE. 

Lay the quadrant of altitude over both places; the 
degrees contained thereon between them being multi¬ 
plied by 70, will be the distance in English miles nearly. 

ON THE MAP. 

Take the distance between the two places, and see 
how many degrees it is on the meridian, which multiply 
as above. 


PROBLEM IX. 

To find the sun's filace in the ecliptic. 

Seek the day of the month on the horizon, and oppo¬ 
site thereto is the sign and degree thereof, which sign 
seek on the ecliptic. 

PROBLEM X. 

To find the sun's rising and setthig. 

Rectify the globe for the given place. Having found 
the sun’s place in the ecliptic, bring it to the meridian, 
and fix the index at 12 o’clock. Then turn the globe 
till the sun’s place comes to the eastern verge of the 
horizon, the index will shew the hour of its rising. 
Bring the sun’s place to the w'est, and the index will 
shew the setting. 

Observe by the index how many hours the sun is in 
passing from the eastern to the western side of the hori¬ 
zon, i. e. from its rising to its setting; they \vill be the 


20 


INTRODUCTION. 


length of the clay, or the time the sun is above the hori¬ 
zon, which subtract from 24 hours, it will give the 
length of the night, or the time the sun is under the 
horizon. When the hour of either the rising or setting 
is known^ it is easy to determine the other: thus, as 
much as the sun rises before six in the morning so much 
it sets after six at night; and as much as it rises after 
six in the morning, so much it sets before six in the 
evening. 

When the sun rises at five in the morning it will set 
at seven in the evening. 

Having the time of the sun's rising or settings the length 
of either day or night is known thus: 

Double the hour of the sun’s rising, it will give the 
length of the nightl Double the hour of the sun’s set¬ 
ting, it will give the length of the day. 

PROBLEM XI. 

To find the sun's declination. 

The globe being rectified, bring the sun’s place to the 
meridian, and observe how many degrees it is to the 
north or south of the equator; which is the declination 
either north or south accordingly. 

PROBLEM XII. 

To find the sun's altitude. 

The globe being rectified with the quadrant in the 
zenith, bring the sun’s place to the meridian, and ob¬ 
serve how many degrees it is above the horizon, which 
will be its altitude at 12 o’clock, called meridian altitude. 
Turn the globe till the index points to any particular 
hour and the Cjuadrant over the sun’s place will shew the 
sun’s altitude at that lime. 

PROBLEM XIII. 

To find the sim*s right ascension. 

Bring the sun’s place to the meridian, and the cIeo'>’e 5 
of the eejuator which is cut thereby, reckoning fronrthe 
point Aries is the right ascension required. 


21 


INTRODUCTION. 

PROBLEM XIV. 

Tojind the surds oblique ascension and descension* 

The globe being rectified, &cc. bring‘the sun’s place 
to the eastern side of the horizon; the number of degrees 
contained between that of the equator cut by the horizon 
and the beginning of Aries is the oblique ascension. 
Then take the sun’s place to the western verge of the 
horizon; the degree of the equator cut thereby will be 
the oblique descension. 

PROBLEM XV, 

The day of the month being given^ to find those places vjhere 

the sun %vill be vertical or in the zenith on that day* 

Bring the sun’s place to the meridian: denote its de^ 
clination by some mark; then turn the globe round, and 
all the places ^yhich pass under the said mark wiil have 
the sun in the zenith on that day. 

PROBLEM XVI. 

To find the place where the sun is vertical at any hour^ the 
day of the'month and hour given at any place* 

Find the sun’s declination, and bring the given place 
to the meridian; set the index to the given hour, then 
turn the globe till the index points to 12 at noon. That 
place on the globe which lies under the degree of the 
sun’s declination (on the meridian) has the sun in the 
zenith at that time. 

GEOGRAPHICAL DEFINITIONS. 

Geography is the description of the various regions of 
this Globe; chiefly as being divided among different na¬ 
tions, and improved by human art and industry. 

General Geography admits of three divisions. 

1st...The Ancient or Classical, which describes the 
state of the earth, so far as it was discovered at differ¬ 
ent periods, but not extending further than the year of 
Christ 500. 

2nd...That of the Middle Ages, which reaches to the 
fifteenth century, when the discoveries of the Portuguese 
began to lay wider foundations of the science. 


22 


INTRODUCTION. 


3cl...Modern Geography, the sole subject of the pre¬ 
sent work, which, while it embraces the most recent 
discoveries, still remains capable of Great accessions. 

The Modern Geografihy of every Country may be con¬ 
sidered in a fourfold degree. 

1st...The Histcrical or Progressh^e Geograjiky^ describ¬ 
ing the extent and boundaries, original population, his¬ 
torical epochs and antiquities of each country. 

Geography^ describing the manners and 
customs, language and literature, cities and towns, manu¬ 
factures and commerce of each country. 

Political Geography^ describing the religion, go¬ 
vernment, law's, and population of each country. 

At\\;tJVatnral Geography^ giving a description of the 
climate and seasons, face of the country, soil and agri¬ 
culture, .botany, zoology, mineralogy, and natural curio¬ 
sities. 


THE FACE OF THE GLOBE, 

WITH RESPECT TO LAND AND WATER. 

The land is divided into continents, peninsulas, isth¬ 
muses, promontories, islands, mountains, valleys, coasts, 
shores, Sec. s 

The water is divided into oceans, seas, gulfs or bays, 
straits, lakes, creeks, rivers, &c. 

OF TFIE LAND. 

A Contiiient^ is a large extent of land, containing ma¬ 
ny countries. There are two continents, viz. Europe, 
Asia, and Africa, which are the eastern; and America, 
which is the western continent; the former is sometimes 
called the old world, and the latter the new world, from 
its being of late discovery. 

A Peninsula^ Chersonese^ is a portion of land more 
than half surrounded by water, as Jutland, Africa, Ara¬ 
bia, and South America. 

An Island^ is a part of land entirely surrounded by w'a- 
ter, as Great Britain, Ireland, 8cc.’ 

An Isthmus, is a narrow neck of land which joins a 
peninsula to other land, as the isthmus of Suez, which 


INTRODUCTION. 


23 


mules Africa to Asia, tlie isthmus of Darien or Panama, 
^vhich joins North to South America, 

A PrQmontQrij or Ca/ie, is a point of land jutting into 
the sea, as the cape of Good Hope, in x\frica, Land’s 
Lnd, in England, &c. 

A Mountain^ is land rising to a great height, and 
overtopping the neiglibouring country, as mount iiiauc 
in Swisserland, Snowden, in Wales, &c. A smaii mouii- 
tain is called a hill., If a mountain throws out lire, it is 
called a valcano, as Vesuvius in Italy, and Hecla, in Ice¬ 
land. 

A Vale or Valley^ is a flat or level plain whence hilh 
and mountains rise. 

A Coast or ‘S/iore^ is land on the sea side. 

OF THE WATER. 

An Ccea? 2 j is a large collection of water, not separated 
by land, as the Pacific ocean, between Asia and Ame¬ 
rica; and the Atlantic, or Western ocean, between Eu¬ 
rope and America. 

A Cea, is a smaller body of v/ater, more than half 
surrounded by land, as the Mediterranean sea, Black 
sea. Red sea, Baltic sea. The name sea is given to va¬ 
rious parts of the ocean, which are denominated from 
the particular countries bordering thereon, as the Nor¬ 
wegian sea, Irish sea £tc. 

A Lake, is a portion of water supposed to be surround¬ 
ed by land, as the lake of Geneva in Swisserland. 

A Strait, is a narrow passage of water, which unites 
one sea, or body of water, to another, and separates 
two lands; as the strait of Gibraltar, which unites the 
Mediterranean sea with the Atlantic ocean; the strait of 
the Sound between Denmark and Sweden, or the strait 
of Dover which separates France from England. 

A Gylf, or bay is a portion of water running into the 
land, as the gulfs of Venice, and Mexico; bays of Biscay, 
Bengal, &c. 

A River, is a stream of fresh water rising from a spring 
in a country, and runs to the sea, as the Thames, Seine, 
Danube, Ikc. 


/ 


24 


INTRODUCTION. 


The political divisions of the land are empires, kingdoms 
and states, which are subdivided into provinces, counties, 
departments, sections, hundreds, parishes,_and hamlets* 

The World is divided into four grand parts, called 
quarters, viz. America^ Europe ^ and Africa. 

America is supposed to contain about 20 millions of 
souls. 

Europe 1 50 millions. 

Asia 500 millions. 

Africa 30 millions. 

OF GOVERNMENTS. 

Governments are monarchical, aristocratical, and de- 
mocratical. 

A monarchical government is where the sovereignty 
is lodged in the hands of a single person of a distinguish¬ 
ed title, as a King. 

An aristocratical government is, where the sovereignty 
is in the power of the nobles. 

A democraticai government is, where the sovereignty 
is lodged in the hands of the people. 

Aristocracy and democracy arc sometimes united. 

Monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, may be mix¬ 
ed together, as in England.-—The two last forms of go¬ 
vernment are said to be limited. 

An arbitrary government is, where the monarch rules 
by laws made by himself. 

A despotic government is, where the sovereign’s will 
is the only law, as Russia, Turkey, and almost all the 
eastern governments. 


25 


AMERICA. 


jAlMERICA extends from the 72 nd degree of N. lati¬ 
tude to the Strait of Megalhaens, or the 54^*^ degree of 
S. latitude, comprehending a space of 126 degrees, or 
7560 geographical miles. Its greatest breadth in South 
America, is from cape Blanco in the west to that of St. 
Roque in the east, 48 degrees or 2880 geographical 
miles. In the north the breadth may be computed from 
the promontory of Alaska, to the most eastern point of 
Labrador. In British miles its length may be estimated 
at 8800 and its breadth about 4400. 

It is divided into J^orth and South America^ 

BOUNDARIES. 

North America is bounded on the east by the Atlan¬ 
tic, on the west by the Great Pacific ocean, on the south 
it is considered to extend to the vicinity of Panama, tlie 
province of Veragua being universally considered as 
part of North America; on the north by the 72 ”d degree 
of N. latitude making its length 3870 miles and greatest 
breadth about 4400 British miles. 

ORIGINAL POPULATION, LANGUAGES, 5cc. 

Our knowledge of the American, or Indian languages 
is so imperfect, that these subjects must still be involved 
in great doubts. There seems, however, to be good rea¬ 
son for believing, that the greater number, if not the 
whole, of the original nations of America, are of Asiatic 
origin; which is rendered still more probable bv the at- 
C 


26 


AMERICA. 


tention of ninny ingenious men who have visited China, 
and other more northern parts of Asia, to the religious 
and other institutions, and to the language of the abori¬ 
ginal Americans. 


RELIGION. 

The ruling religion in North America is the Christian, 
under various forms in the United States; and the Ro¬ 
man Catholic in the Spanish dominions, and among the 
French of Canada. That of the native tribes shall be 
briefly considered under its proper head. 

CLIMATE. 

The climate of North America is extremely various, 
in a region extending from the vicinity of the Equator 
to the Arctic circle. The heat in summer and the cold 
in v»^inter are much more intense than in any parts of 
Europe in the same latitude. Almost every part of the 
known continent is remarkable for the unsteadiness of 
the weather, particularly the sudden transitions from 
heat to cold and the reverse. This observation certainly 
applies to the United States. These remarkable altera¬ 
tions, which cannot be favorable to the health of the in¬ 
habitants, seem to proceed from the sudden change of 
the wind to the north-west. Every part of the country 
is subject to thunder and lightning; whirlwinds and hur¬ 
ricanes are principally confined to the southern parts. 

INLAND SEAS AND LAKES. 

Among the inland seas may be mentioned, the gulfs 
of Mexico, California and St. Laurence ; Hudson’s bay, 
and Davis’s straits which is probably a sea of commu¬ 
nication between, the Atlantic and the Arctic oceans. 
There are several lakes of so great extent that they de¬ 
serve to be distinguished by the name of seas, particu¬ 
larly lake Superior 1500 miles in circumference; lake 
Huron 1000; lake Michigan 600; Ontario 600; each of 
which constitute one vast piece of water of immense ex¬ 
tent. Besides, there are many of less extent, such as lakes 
Erie, St. v^Iair, Champlain, George, Oneida, See. 


AMERICA. 


27 


The Gulf of Mexico is the most celebrated, as lying 
in the most favorable climate and presenting at its en¬ 
trance that grand archipelago of North American islands 
called West Indies. From this gulf a singular current 
sets towards the north-east, this current, called the Gulf 
stream, passes to the banks of Newfoundland, and is sup¬ 
posed to proceed from the accumulation of waters by the 
trade wind. 

The opposite shore presents the Gulf of California^ 
■which seems an estuary of two great rivers. 

The Gulf of St. Laurence is the well known estuary of 
a river of the same name generally frozen from Decem¬ 
ber till April. This noble stream is closed by the island 
of Newfoundland, and by numerous sand-banks, particu¬ 
larly what is called the Great Bank. This celebrated 
fishing station is more than 400 miles in length, by about 
140 in breadth; the water being from 22 to 50 fathom* 
with a great swell and frequently a thick fog. 

RIVERS. 

The four principal rivers in North America, are. The 
St. Laurence^ which falls into the Atlantic after a course 
of 700 miles, tracing it as far as geographical usage will 
permit, to lake Ontario. 

The Missisifitii^ which receives the waters of the Ohio 
and Illinois, and their numerous branches from the east, 
and the Missouri and other rivers from the west. The 
union of these mighty streams, is discharged into the 
Gulf of Mexico, after a comparative course of 1400 Bri¬ 
tish miles. 

The Bourbon^ which runs a northerly course and emp¬ 
ties into Hudson’s bay. 

The Oregon or river of the west, which has its source 
in the vicinity of the other three, runs a westerly course 
and is discharged into the Pacific ocean. They are said 
to rise near the lakes and run different courses, each, 
taken from their sources, above 2000 miles. 

The Ohio^ a branch of the Missisippi, a most beauti¬ 
ful river, is calculated to be 1188 miles from Fort Pitt 


28 


AMERICA. 


to its junction 'with the Missisippi. Two considerable 
rivers, the Allegheny and Monongahela, unite at Pitts¬ 
burg and form the Ohio; the latter rises in the States of 
New York and Pennsylvania, and the former in Pennsyl¬ 
vania and Virginia. There are many other rivers of 
less note which will be also described in their turn. 

MOUNTAINS, CURIOSITIES, &c. 

The mountains of North America are far inferior to 
thiose of South America. On the west a range of moun¬ 
tains proceeds from New Mexico in a northern direction, 
and joins the ridge called the Stony Mountains, which 
extend to the vicinity of the Arctic ocean. 

The Stony JMountains are said to be about 3300 feet 
above their base,, which perhaps may be 3000 feet above 
the surface of the sea. 

77;e Jpalachiati Mountains^ These are the most cele¬ 
brated mountains of North America; they are by some 
caffed the Allegheny mountains, and pass through ^the 
territory of the United States, from tlie south-west to 
the north-east. They commence on the north of Geor¬ 
gia where they give source to many rivers running south 
to the gulf of Mexico; and to tlie Tennessee anci many 
others running north. There are several collateral 
ridges, the Iron or Bald mountains, the White Oak 
mountains; the exterior skirt on the north-west being 
tlte Cumberland mountains. The Apalachiah chain- 
thence extends through the western territory of Virginia- 
and proceeds through Pennsylvania, then passes Hudson 
river; and afterwards rises to more elevation, but seems 
to expire in the country of New Brunswick. 

This chain thus extends upwards of 900 geographical 
miles; a length unrivalled by any European mountains- 
except the Norwegian Alps. The height of the'chief 
summit does not exceed 4000 feet above the surface of 
the sea. 

Curiosities. The falls of Xiagara between lakes 
Ontario and Erie, where the M^ater falls 137 feet perpen¬ 
dicularly, making a noise that can be heard at least 20' 
miles off. 


UNITED STATES. 


29 


The falls of ‘Si, Maria bet’.vcen lakes Huron and Su¬ 
perior. 

The falls of St, Anthony on the Missisippi, about 2 50 
yards over, and falling about 30 feet perpendicularly, 
form a most pleasant cataract. 

There are besides these many cataracts and falls in 
Pennsylvania and Virginia, which will be occasionally 
remarked. There arc also many caves and subterrane¬ 
ous passages well worthy the attention of the curious, 
which shall be briefly mentioned in their proper depart¬ 
ments. 


THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


TThE territories of the United States have been class¬ 
ed under three grand divisions, the northern^ the middle 
and the southern. 

The northern states are Vermont, New Hampshire, 
Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the small state of Rhode 
Island. The district of Maine in this ([uarter belongs to 
the state of Massachusetts, and its eastern boundary ex¬ 
tends to a river called St. Croix, longitude 67 degrees 
west from London, while on the north, what is called 
Albany ridge, divides it from the British possessions. 
These northern states have been known since the year 
1614, by the special appellation of New England, and 
are remarkable for the comparative smallness of the sub¬ 
divisions ; these five states together being not of much 
greater extent than either New York, Pennsylvania, o^' 
Virginia. 

The middle states are New York, New Jersey, Penn¬ 
sylvania, Delaware, and the territory on the north-west 
of the Ohio. C 2 




30 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF 


The southern states are Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, 
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, 
and the Missisippi territory. The great country of Lou¬ 
isiana, now ceded to the United States, will doubtless, 
at no very distant period, be divided into several distinct 
states. 

These various states are subdivided into counties, and 
each county into townships, districts, hundreds or pa- 
rishes. 

They are bounded on the east by the Atlantic ocean, 
on the west by the western boundary of Louisiana, on the 
north by an ideal line pervading the great lakes of Canada 
and continued along the river St. Laurence to latitude 
45 degrees; where it passes due east, and follows a chain 
of mountains north-east, and afterwards diverges south¬ 
east to the river St. Croix, which falls into the bay of 
Fundy. On the south its boundary is a line merely 
arbitrary, about latitude 31 degrees, which divides the 
United States from the Spanish dominions of West and 
East Florida. 

The greatest extent of the united territory is from 
east to M'est in the northern part, where it exceeds 1300 
British miles; and the line along the shores of the At¬ 
lantic nearly corresponds: but the breadth, from the Ca¬ 
nadian lakes to the southern limit, is about 1000 British 
miles. The square acres have been computed at 640 
millions; and those covered with water being supposed 
51 millions, there will remain 589 millions of acres..... 
Louisiana is not comprehended in this calculation. 

The original fiopulation of this extensive and flourish¬ 
ing country consisted of numerous wild and rude tribes, 
whose denominations arid memory have, in many in¬ 
stances, almost perished, but some idea of their manners 
shall be given in describing the native nations. After 
the first ineffectual colony planted by Raleigh, the most 
important events in the progressive geography, were the 
discoveries of the noble bays of Chesapeak and Delaware, 
while the northern lakes, and many other grand features 
of nature, were disclosed by the French settlers in Ca¬ 
nada. 



THE UNITED STATES. 


SI 


Among the chief historical efiochs of the United States 
must first be classed their respective origins. 

The introduction of tobacco in Virginia, 1616. 

The intended massacre of the English by a native 
Wirowanee, or chief, 1618, and the subsequent war. 

The abolition of the first charter, 1624. 

The struggles against the arbitrary disposition of 
Charles 1; the privileges granted by that monarch, and 
the loyalty of the Virginians, who did not acknowledge 
the commonwealth till 1651. 

The insurrection of Bacon against the authority of 
Charles II, are epochs of Virginian story. 

The colony in the northern provinces called New 
England was chiefly founded by the Puritans, and was 
strengthened by the intolerant spirit of archbishop Laud. 
Sectarian subdivisions occasioned new colonies; and the 
Pequods, a native tribe, were extirpated The colonies 
in the south are of more recent foundation, and present 
still fewer materials for history. 

The peace of 1763, after a war of immense expense, 
■was crowned by the cession of Canada, and the conse¬ 
quent annihilation of the French power in North Ame¬ 
rica. Canada was acquired at the price of about fifty 
times its real value; and the acquisition of Canada was 
the loss of America; for the colonies were not only thus 
delivered from constant fear and jealousy of the French, 
which bound them to the protection of the parent coun¬ 
try, but the vast expenditure of that splendid and absurd 
war, occasioned such an increase of taxation, that the 
country gentlemen of England were easily induced to 
wish that a part of it might be borne by the colonies. 

1. The Stamp Act, passed in 1765, is considered as 
the first attempt to raise a supply of British revenue from 
North America; but by the firm opposition of the colo¬ 
nies it was repealed in 1766. Similar attempts of a more 
oblique nature were alike unsuccessful: and in 1770 the 
duties were taken off except three pence a pound on tea, 
which, within the space of half a century, had become a 
necessary of life. 


32 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF ’ 


2. In 1773 an armed schooner stationed off Rliode 
Island was burnt by the Americans, the first act of open 
opposition to the parent country. 

3. The tea sent by the East India company to tlie port 
of Boston in New England, was tlirown into the sea by 
seventeen persons in the disguise of American savages. 
This led to what is called the Boston Port Bill, March 
1774, and the act for altering the government of Massa¬ 
chusetts Bay. 

4. Deputies met at Philadelphia, 26th October, 1774, 
constituting the first Congress, but independence was not 
yet asserted. Some military manoeuvres of the British 
General Gage increased the ferment, and a Provincial 
Congress, presided by Mr. Hancock, assembled at Con¬ 
cord, 19 miles from Boston. 

5. Other acts of the British Parliament, 1775, inflam¬ 
ed the discontents, and the civil war commenced with a 
skirmish between the British troops and American mi¬ 
litia at Lexington. The battle of Bunker’s hill, or rather 
Breed’s hill, near Charlestown, was fought on the 17th 
June 1775. Two days before, the American Congress 
had appointed George Washington, a native of Virginia, 
commander of their armies, who in March 1776, entered 
Boston in triumph. 

6. On the 4th of July 1776 the American Congress 
published their solemn declaration of Independence. 

7. On the 30th January 1778 the king of France con¬ 
cluded a treaty with the United States. The surrender 
of General Burgoyne’s army, at Saratoga 17th October 
1777, is supposed to have greatly influenced this alliance, 
so important to the interests of the Americans. 

8. The surrender of Lord Cornwallis, at York Town, 
in Virginia, on the 12th October 1781. 

9. The treaty of peace, 30th November, 1782, by 
which the independence of the United States was so¬ 
lemnly acknowledged after a struggle of seven years, 
while that between Spain and the United Provinces con¬ 
tinued, with some intermissions, for about sixty years: 
but the profuse expense of modern warfare counterba¬ 
lances its brevity. 


THE UNITED STATES. 


53 


10. The articles of confederation having been found 
imperfect, a new plan was submitted to the several 
states, and finally received their approbation. On the 
SOth of April, 1789, General George Washington was 
inaugurated President of the United States, during the 
session of Congress at New York. This great mah, af¬ 
ter serving his country, as its first magistrate, for eight 
years, retired from public life, and died after a short ill¬ 
ness, at the age of 68 years, on the 14th of December, 
1799. Mr John Adams, a native of Massachusetts, who 
had early distingfiished himself in the cause of his coun¬ 
try, was inaugurated President on the 4th of March 
1797; and Mr. Thomas Jefferson (the present President) 
on the 4tli of March 1801. » 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


RELIGION. 


In the United States of America there is no establish¬ 
ed religion; but every sect is liberally treated with uni¬ 
versal toleration, or rather equal independence. In Ma¬ 
ryland as the first settlers were Roman Catholics, so that 
system is still very numerous and respectable ; and in 
Connecticut, the reformed episcopal scheme is admitted. 
It would be a difficult task to enumerate the various de¬ 
nominations, tenets, and new doctrines, which prevail in 
the different states; but from an account of those in the 
states of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts some judg¬ 
ment may be formed of the whole. 

In Philadelphia, the places of public worship are thus 
numbered: 


The Jews, 1 

Roman Catholics, 4 

English Episcopalians, 4 

German Lutherans, 2 

Swedish Lutherans, 2 

African Episcopalians, 1 

German Calvinists, 1 


The Presbyterians, 6 

Friends, or Quakers, 5 

Moravians, 1 

Methodists, 4 

Baptists, 2 

Free Qiiakers, 1 

Universalists, 1 




34 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY OF 

In the State of Massachusetts are the following con 
^regations: 

Of Congregationalists, 

Baptists, 

Episcopalians, 

Friends, or Qiiakers, 

GOVERNMENT. 

The governmei'd; of the United States is vested, 
the constitution of 1789, in a President and two councils, 
called a Senate and House of Represent?atives. The Pre¬ 
sident is chosen for the term of four years. 

The Senate or superior council consists of two sena¬ 
tors from each state, chosen by the state legislatures, 
every six years. 

The House of Representatives is elected by the peo¬ 
ple, every second year, and is not to contain more than 
two hundred members, each representing, according to 
the progre^ss of the population, from 33,000 to 50,000 
inhabitants. 

The legislative powxr is vested in the two councils, 
while the executive is lodged with the President; and a 
Vice President is also chosen to supply his place on 
any emergency, and is the constitutional President of 
the Senate to regulate the proceedings. 

The President commands the army and navy, and 
may pardon offences, except in cases of impeachment; 
he makes treaties, with the consent of two-thirds of the 
Senators, who are also to advise in the appointment of 
ambassadors, 8cc. Sec. 

Particular regulations are formed to prevent any dis¬ 
tinct state from assuming the offices whicli belong to the 
community, such as forming treaties, issuing letters of 
marque, and the like acts of independent sovereignty, 
which might endanger the union of the whole. 

The judicial power is lodged in one supreme court, 
and in such inferior courts as the Congress may ordain; 
the judges holding their offices during their good beha¬ 
viour. 


400 

84 

18 

10 


Of Presbyterians, 3 

Universalists, 2 

Roman Catholics, 1 



THE UNITED STATES. 


S5 


Each State has also its peculiar government, consist¬ 
ing commonly of a Governor, a Senate, and House of 
Representatives, chosen directly by the people or their 
representatives, for different periods in different States. 

LAWS. 

The laws in general seem to correspond with those of 
England handed down by our ancestors. 

Different States have particular ordinances and cus¬ 
toms, which are permitted when they do not disturb the 
general harmony. 

But a code of laws to be held in universal observance 
might afford a fair object of laudable ambition. 

The laws of the United States relate to affairs of State 
and Federal jurisdiction. 

Under affairs of State jurisdiction is comprehended 
every case which is not forbidden by the constitution of 
the United States. 

The laws of each State are administered judicially^ by 
judges, justices of the peace, &c. See. and ministerially by 
sheriffs, coroners, constables. See. 

Under affairs of Federal jurisdiction, are only com¬ 
prehended the matters granted to, and contemplated by 
the constitution of the United States. 

The administration of the laws of the United States 
is conducted by Federal courts and officers, somewhat 
like those of the individual States, only sometimes the 
aid of the State courts and officers is admitted. 

The supreme court of the United States sits at the 
seat of the national government, and is composed of a 
chief justice and five associate judges. 

There are appointed by the President an attorney and 
a marshal for each district, besides an attorney-general 
for the United States. 

The penal laws of the United States are contained in 
the constitution and the several acts of Congress made 
for the definition and punishment of crimes and offences. 


r>6 POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY OF 

^ POPULATION. 

The population of these extensive territories was for¬ 
merly estimated, by order of Congress, in 1790, and 
found to be 3,930,000, exclusive of the inhabitants north¬ 
west of the Ohio, supposed to be 20,000. It is inferred 
that the population is doubled every 20 years, in which 
case the population may now amount to at least 6,000,000, 
if we include the newly acquired country of Louisiana. 
The number of slaves in 1790 was 697,697, and has pro¬ 
bably been little increased, as many emancipations have 
taken place, and the slave trade is discountenanced, in 
most of the States. It is much to be regretted that it is 
not prohibited in all the States. 

ARMY. 

A small military force is maintained for the sake of 
supporting public order, and upwards of 5000 were raised 
for three years, for the defence of the frontiers. But a 
standing army is deemed incompatible with the republi¬ 
can government; and the strength of the states is com¬ 
puted from the militia, which is stated at 700,000. Yet 
this mode of reasoning is vague and inconclusive: and 
it would seem more agreeable to the usual rules, to es¬ 
timate the utmost effective force at 150,000, a number 
sufficiently formidable to subdue the whole continent, and 
to set foreign invasion at defiance. 

NAVY. 

The navy of the United States is still of little conse¬ 
quence, though a few ships were equipped during the re¬ 
cent short dispute with France, and are still employed in 
the Mediterranean against the Bey of Tripoli. In the 
course of a century, it is probable that the maritime spi¬ 
rit of their progenitors will be displayed, and that the 
American fleet will rival any in Europe. 

REVENUE. 

The revenue of the United States is derived from the 
duties on imports and tonnage. It is stated at little more 
than 2,000,000 of dollars, and the expenses at only 


THE UNITED STATES. 


sr 

740,000. But the national debt is supposed to amount 
to 80,000,000 dollars. This however is reducing very 
fast. The war with the Indians, which terminated in 
1795, is said to have cost the United States one million 
of dollars yearly. 

POLITICAL IMPORTANCE. 

The political importance of the United States will de¬ 
pend in a great measure, upon the individual conduct of 
the States; as the general prosperity can only be insured 
while they cherish the principles of union. So far as the 
nation has developed its character and its energy, the 
effect has been honourable and instructive; but we must 
wait sometime longer, before it would either be wise or 
just, to attempt to fix the standard of the physical, moral, 
or political attributes, of a country, so suddenly, and so 
rapidly, extending the sphere of human action. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPPIY. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

TPIE manners and customs of the inhabitants of the 
United States may be conceived to differ little from those 
of their British and German ancestors, except in a few 
local particularities. Travellers pretend to have observed 
even in Philadelphia, a want of urbanity, and a spirit of 
coldness and reserve, which renders society melancholy. 

The inhabitants of Philadelphia are not, it must be 
confessed, distinguished for their urbanity; but the so¬ 
ciety in this great city is by no means melancholy. It 
is marked, indeed, by a distant reserve, which seems, in 
part at least, to spring out of an attachment to wealth, 
which singularly designates the character of Americans, 
in almost every part of the Union. • 

Musical concerts are more frequented than the thea¬ 
tre ; and in general there is too little taste for those 
amusements which are connected with the arts and sci- 

D 



38 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY OF 


cnees, yet observation obliges us to acknowledge they 
are daily improving. In some of the States gaming is 
much too prevalent; but the deepest game consists in 
selling unsettled lands at advanced prices; a species of 
stock-jobbing, which, like the Missisippi scheme, stimu¬ 
lates avarice, and has already ruined many. 

LANGUAGE. 

The English is the prevailing language that is spoken 
in every part of the United States. Since the conclusion 
©f the American war in 1783, the German and other lan¬ 
guages are much less attended to; and it requires not 
the gift of prophecy to discover, that in the term of fifty 
years, or even less, the English will be the exclusive lan¬ 
guage of this great tract of country. 

It is a fact, that the English tongue is spoken in un¬ 
common purity in many parts of the Union ; unquestion¬ 
ably more so than it is spoken in several of the counties 
of England. 

Already there have appeared a number of native Ame¬ 
rican authors, whose writings may fairly lay a claim to 
correctness, elegance, and even eloquence of style. 

LITERATURE. 

The books published in British America were chiefly 
of a religious or political kind; and those of Cotton Ma¬ 
ther printed in the end of the seventeenth century, at 
Boston, concerning some supposed witches in that city, 
are remembered on account of their fanatic cruelty. 

But before the emancipation, Franklin had become a 
distinguished name in letters ; and many authors of con¬ 
siderable merit have since arisen in the United States. 
Literary academies publish their transactions; while 
magazines, reviews, and newspapers contribute to the 
popular difiusion of useful knowledge. 

Education seems also to attract more and more atten¬ 
tion, and to be conducted in numerous seminaries with 
the most laudable care. In the northern states, called 
New England, schools are established in almost every 
township. 


39 


THE UNITED STATES. 

UNIVERSITIES. 

In New York a college was founded, by an act of the 
British Parliament 1754, which is now called Columbia 
college, and is said to be frequented by more than one 
hundred students. 

Nassau Hall was founded at Princeton, in New Jersey, 
the students being estimated at nearly 100. 

In 1782 another foundation, called Washington college, 
arose at Chestertown in Maryland. 

Even in Tennessee there is a society for promoting 
useful knowdedge, which is far more laudable than those 
established in some countries for promoting know¬ 

ledge ; and there is also an academy, with many grammar 
schools. 

Yale cojlege, in Connecticut, was founded in 1717, 
and rebuilt in 1750; and in 1802 was considerably en¬ 
larged ; it maintains about 200 students. 

In Pennsylvania there are several literary societies, 
particularly the American Philosophical Society, formed 
in 1769 ; and which has already published five volumes 
of its transactions. These volumes contain many curi¬ 
ous and important papers, on a great variety of sub¬ 
jects. 

The American Linnsean society, for the promotion of 
natural history, was established at Philadelphia in 1803, 
Much important information may be expected from the 
zeal and labours of this infant institution. 

The science of medicine is in a flourishing slate, in 
many parts of the United States, particularly in Phila¬ 
delphia, where lectures upon all the branches of this 
science are delivered by professors under the direction of 
a boat’d of trustees, in the university of Pennsylvania^ 
This university was founded at Philadelphia during the 
war, and being since united wdth the college, has become 
a respectable seat of learning. 

In this State there are also Dickinson college at Car¬ 
lisle, w'ell endowed, and Franklin college in Lancaster, 
which is likewise respectable. 


40 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY OF 


Ilarvvard university, in the state of Massachusetts was 
founded in 1G38, and is generally regarded as the chief 
foundation in North America. 

The university of Georgia is at Louisville, and some 
other provinces i 3 oast of other colleges, or rather consi¬ 
derable academies. 

These detached institutions seem better calculated for 
the promotion of knowledge, than one or two great uni¬ 
versities. 

In New Hampshire, Dartmouth college \vas founded 
in 1769, for the instruction of the savages, but has since 
become an ample endowment for the youth of the nor¬ 
thern states. 

CITIES. 

With regard to size and consequence the cities of the 
United States must be thus arranged: Pliiladelphia, New 
York, Boston, Baltimore, Charleston, but in relation to 
commerce. New York precedes Philadelphia, and Charles¬ 
ton ranks above Baltimore. Before proceeding to a brief 
account of these cities, it will be proper to describe that 
of Washington, the intended metropolis of the U. States. 

Washington. The city of W^ashington, in the terri¬ 
tory of Columbia, was ceded by the states of Virginia and 
Maryland to the United States, and by them established as 
the seat of their government, after the year 1800. This 
city, which is daily increasing, stands atthe junctionof the 
rivers Potomac and the Eastern Branch, latitude 3vS de¬ 
grees 53 minutes north ; extending nearly four miles up 
each, and including a tract of territory exceeded in point 
of convenience, salubrity and beauty, by none in Ameri¬ 
ca: for although the land in general appears level, yet by 
gentle and gradual swellings a variety of elegant pros¬ 
pects is produced, and a sufficient descent formed for 
conveying off the water occasioned by rain. 

Within the limits of the city are a great number of 
excellent springs; and by digging wells, water of the 
best quality may readily be had. Besides the never fail¬ 
ing streams that now run through that territory may also 
be collected for the use of the city. The waters of Reedy 


THE UNITED STATES. 


41 


branch, and of Tiber creek, may be conveyed to the 
President’s house. The source of Tiber creek is eiev^at- 
ed about 236 feet above the level of the tide. The per¬ 
pendicular height of the ground on which the capitol 
stands, is seventy-eight feet above the level of the tide 
in Tiber creek; the water of Tiber creek may therefore 
be conveyed to the capitol, and after watering that part 
of the city may be destined to other useful purposes. 

The Eastern Branch is one of the safest and most 
commodious harbours in America, being sufficiently deep 
for the largest vessels, for about four miles above its 
mouth, while the channel lies close along the bank ad¬ 
joining the city, and affords a large and convenient har¬ 
bour. The Potomac, although only navigable for small 
vessels for a considerable distance from its banks next to 
the city, (excepting about half a mile above the junction 
of the rivers,) will nevertheless afford a capacious sum¬ 
mer harbour, as an immense number of ships may ride 
in the great channel opposite to, and below the city. 

The situation of this metropolis is upon the great 
post road, equidistant from the northern and southern 
extremities of the Union, and nearly so from the Atlan¬ 
tic and Pittsburg ; in the middle of a rich and commer¬ 
cial territory, and upon the best navigation commanding 
the most extensive internal resources of any in America. 

It has therefore many advantages to recommend it, 
as an eligible place for the permanent seat of the general 
government; and as it is increasing rapidly,, and other¬ 
wise improving by the public spirited enterprize of the 
people of the United States, and even by foreigners, it 
may be expected to grow' up with a degree of rapidity 
hitherto unparalleled in the annals of cities. 

The plan of this city contains some important im¬ 
provements upon that of the best planned cities in the 
world, combining in a remarkable degree convenience, 
regularity, elegance of prospect, and a free cir^d^toii 

r ‘ O'.' 

oi air. 

; Ui'ff '>"‘4 

The positions for the different,pufjlic^edifioe, 5 ,,iand for 
the several squares, and areas of different sliapes, as they 

D 2 


42 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY OE 


are laid down, were first determined on the most advan- 
tageoiis ground, commanding the most extensive pros¬ 
pects, and from their situation susceptible of such im¬ 
provements as either use or ornament may hereafter re¬ 
quire. 

The capitol is situated on a most beautiful eminence, 
commands a complete view of every part of the city, and 
of a considerable part of the country around, in it the 
Congress assemble and so grand is the plan that the ex¬ 
pense was estimated at a million of dollars. 

The president’s house stands on a rising ground, pos¬ 
sessing a delightful water prospect, together with a com¬ 
manding view of the capitol, and of the most material 
parts of the city. Lines or avenues of direct communi¬ 
cation have been devised, to connect the most distant 
and important objects. These transverse avenues or di¬ 
agonal streets are laid out on the most advantageous 
ground for prospect and convenience ; and are calculated 
not only to produce a variety of charming prospects, but 
greatly to facilitate the communication throughout the 
city. 

North and south lines intersected by others running 
due east and west, make the distribution of the city into 
streets, squares, &.c. and those lines have been so combin¬ 
ed as to meet at certain given points with the divergent 
avenues, so as to form on the spaces first determined, the 
different squares or areas. The grand avenues, and such 
streets as lead immediately to public places, are from 130 
to 160 feet wide, and may be conveniently divided into 
footways, a walk planted witli trees on each side, and a 
paved way for carriages. The other streets are from 90 
to 110 feet wide. 

Philadelphia. The city of Philadelphia in 1800, 
when the last census was taken, contained 75,000 inhabi¬ 
tants, and was designed by William Penn, the first pro¬ 
prietor and founder of the colony called Pennsylvania, in 
1683. The form is an oblong square, extending about 
two miles ea^t and west between the rivers Delaware and 
Schuylkill, or rather on the western bank of the former 
*iver. 


THE UNITED STATES. 


43 


This city is neatly constructed, the chief streets being 
one hundred feet in breadth, paved with pebbles, and 
the foot paths with brick. They are chiefly in a strait 
line, a form not approved by lovers of the picturesque ; 
but in a city the chief objects are convenience, and a 
short access from one part to another. 

The charter of incorporation, granted by Penn in 
1701, was singularly aristocratic, being copied from that 
of Bristol in England; but the general assembly of the 
province, in 1789, formed a liberal plan ; and the govern¬ 
ment of the city, the prisons. See. may now be regarded 
as surpassing any in the world. 

There are many humane institutions, and a public li¬ 
brary, which contains above ten thousand volumes, among 
which are many rare and valuable books, in various lan¬ 
guages. 

The tolerant character of the Quakers differed widely 
from that of the fanatic settlers in New England: at pre¬ 
sent they do not exceed one fourth part of the inhabitants : 
and their aversion to the elegancies and luxuries of life is 
overcome by the wishes of the majority. 

Gay equipages are not rare in the streets of Philadel¬ 
phia, and the theatre is much frequented. 

New York. The capital of the state of the same 
name is situated on a promontory at the mouth of Hud¬ 
son river, a noble and picturesque stream. The num¬ 
ber of inhabitants in 1800 was 61,000, this city being 
about two miles in length and four in circumference. It 
was greatly injured during the war, but has since been 
enlarged and improved. The chief edifice is the Federal 
Hall, a neat building of Grecian architecture, in which 
Washington was installed president of the United States. 

In commerce. New York is considered as the chief city 
in North America, the harbour admitting ships of any 
burden. It is also the gayest city, and is thought to ex¬ 
ceed Charleston in South Carolina, which last is how¬ 
ever a rival in hospitality and social pleasures. In public 
institutions for the promotion of education, the arts, sci¬ 
ences, See. it is certainly inferior to Philadelphia. 


44 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY OF 


Boston. Boston the capital of the state of Massa¬ 
chusetts, was regarded by Mr. Burke as the chief city 
in North America. Fie considers the people of New 
England as the Dutch of America, being carriers for all 
the colonies of North America and the West Indies.- 
This city is supposed to contain about 25,000 inhabitants. 
The harbour on a large bay is excellent, and capacious 
enough to receive five hundred ships at anchor; with a 
narrow entrance, commanded by a castle. There is a 
pier about 600 yards in length; and the harbour is inter¬ 
spersed with about forty islands, which afford excellent 
grain and pasturage. This city also suffered considerably 
by the war, but has been improved, and the public build¬ 
ings are, in this part of the world, deemed elegant. 

Boston does not exceed two miles in length, being of 
a circular form; and on the west is the mail or public 
walk, planted with rows of trees. On the same side is 
Beacon-hill, on which a monument has been erected, 
commemorating some of the most important events of 
the war. This city is already ranked by some, amongst 
the most pleasing and sociable in the United States, and 
is the residence of many enlightened and worthy men. 

BALTiMoaE. Baltimore in Maryland stands on the 
north side of the river Patapsco, which may rather be 
regarded as a creek of th’e great bay of Chesapeak, and 
has rapidly risen to its present consequence. The situ¬ 
ation is rather low, but it has been rendered by art tole¬ 
rably salubrious. In lt>00 the number of inhabitants 
was 26,800. 

Charleston. Charleston in South Carolina is situ¬ 
ated on a point of land at the confluence of Ashley and 
Cooper rivers, which are large and navigable, and open 
into a capacious estuary. The situation is esteemed to¬ 
lerably healthy, though low, being refreshed by the sea 
breezes. In 1800 there were 21,000 inhabitants, includ¬ 
ing slaves. This city is celebrated for easy and social 
manners. 

Such are the principal cities of the United States; the 
others shall be enumerated when we come to treat of each 
particular State. 


THE UNITED STATES. 


45 


EDIFICES. 

The chief edifices are commonly the halls in which 
the legislatures of each state assemble. The Capitol, 
and the house of the President, in the new metropolis, 
designed, as well as the plan of the city, by L’Enfant 
are considered as edifices of the most splendid promise. 
Many of the churches in Philadelphia, New York, Bos¬ 
ton, and other cities and towns, are large and commo¬ 
dious, and even elegant edifices. 

INLAND NAYTGATION. 

Considerable progress has already been made in open¬ 
ing canals for inland navigation, though the numerous 
great rivers have been found sufficient for the purposes 
of general and extensive intercourse. Indeed no country 
in the w orld can boast of superior means of inland com¬ 
merce by the great river Missisippi, and many other na¬ 
vigable streams, not to mention the lakes of prodigious 
extent. 

In Pennsylvania, several canals have been projected, 
only one of which has as yet been completed; this is 
the Connewaga canal, by which the inconveniences of 
the falls of that name, in the Susquehanna, are avoided. 

An important canal upon the Potomac river has also 
been completed. The Santee canal in South Carolina is 
thought to be equal to any work of this kind, within the 
United States. It was begun in 1792, and completed in 
1800, at the expense of not less than 150,000/. sterling. 
It is thirty-five feet wide at the top, sloping down to a 
width of twenty feet at the bottom, and is calculated to 
contain a depth of four feet water, capable of passing 
boats of twenty-two tons. 

Many other canals are contemplated in different parts 
of the Union, particularly one between the great bays of 
Chesapeak and Delaware. 

Within a few years, considerable improvements have 
been made in the roads, particularly in Pennsylvania, 
where excellent turnpikes little inferior to many of those 
in Britian, have been completed. Many bridges have also 
been erected, some of them, particularly in the New Eng- 


46 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY OF 


land states, of great extent. A fine bridge is now erect¬ 
ing over the river Schuylkill, near Philadelphia. In 
short, improvements of every kind are rapidly advancing 
in all parts of the United States. 

COMMERCE. 

The commerce of the United States is annually more 
and more divided among foreign nations, as America grows 
able, by increased capital, to import raw materials, to 
manufacture at home, to embark in the cash business of 
India and China, and to purchase for money on the con¬ 
tinent of Europe, where her credits have not been esta¬ 
blished by acquaintance and habit. 

Much of the imports into Great Britain consisted of 
articles destined to go from her ports to other markets, 
for which she was only a stepping-stone, and much of 
the excess was owing to our great importations from 
thence. 

From a statement made in 1802, it is perceived, that 
the export trade of America is not centered in the ports 
of any nation. It amounted in 1789 to about 18 millions, 
and in 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, fluctuated from 68 mil¬ 
lions to 93 millions. 

The American importation of manufactures, from the 
British dominions in Europe and Asia, was little less 
than 27,000,000, of dollars in the year 1802, and the im¬ 
ported manufactures, from all other countries, were pro¬ 
bably about 11,000,000 of dollars. 'I he wines, teas, salt, 
distilled spirits and other unmanufactured produce, from 
places not British, amounted probably to 33,000,000 of 
dollars, and the like unmanufactured articles from the 
British dominions were probably worth 2,000,000 of dol¬ 
lars. 

The coarse and fine manufactures of the United States 
(exclusively of all kinds of meal, and of boards, staves, 
and similar articles of wood) may with justice be com¬ 
puted at more than 42,000,000 of dollars. 

The China trade is considerable, and if cotton w’ool 
should be used as an export to Canton, will be greatly 
increased. The surplus of our cotton in 1803, beyond 


THE UNITED STATES. AT 

domestic consumption, is supposed to be 30,000,000 
pounds weight. 

The returns of exports, imports, tonnage, fisheries, 
and coasters, display, in authentic form, the progress and 
actual condition of the American trade in all its tranches. 

They are however rather proofs of the capacities of 
the country than of the courses, which its trade will in 
future take; for the revolutions in the colonies, com- 
inei’ce, and laws of European nations will occasion the 
United States to seek new channels of vent and other 
sources of supply. The improvements of American ma¬ 
nufactures too, are constantly diminishing the exporta¬ 
tion of raw materials, increasing the importation of such 
articles, and restraining exportations ol provisions and 
liquors, while they prevent an increase of the importa¬ 
tions of foreign manufactures piuportionate to the in¬ 
creasing population. 

The immigrants to America, bring hither much pro¬ 
perty, which is never to be remitted or returned, because 
the importers make their home in some one of the states. 

MANUFACTURES. 

Some of the manufactures of the United States may 
be considered as having advanced to a state of maturity. 
Nor does the rivalship of British fabrics, nor those of 
other foreign nations, prevent a constant, great, and in¬ 
creasing supply from American industry and skill; fo¬ 
reign manufacturers, settling in the United States daily, 
enlarge that supply. 

After many estimates in various ways and on different 
principles, it is held by persons of information and ex¬ 
perience, that the value of all the commodities manufac¬ 
tured in the United States (those from meal and wood 
not included) is considerably more than that of all the 
exported American products and manufactures. 

The progress of this important branch of our national 
industry is equal to every moderate expectation. With 
respect to the finer manufactures, many of them are in 
their infancy, and many are not yet commenced; some 
will probably be long delayed. 


48 


NATURAL GEOCxRAPHY OF 


Those branches however, which depend on labour- 
saving machinery, have lately attracted the utmost re¬ 
gard and will without doubt advance with rapidity in the 
course of a few years. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE. 

THE climate of the United territories, as already men¬ 
tioned, is chiefly remarkable for sudden transitions from 
heat to cold^, and the contrary. The wind from the north¬ 
west is violently cold, as it passes a wide expanse of the 
frozen continent. In the plains on the east of the Apa- 
lachian chain, the summer heats are often immoderate. 
Towards the mountains the climate is salutary even in 
the southern States. In the northern States the winter 
is longer and more severe than in England, but the sum¬ 
mer heat more intense. A north-east wind commonly 
attends rain, while on the west side of the Apalachian 
mountains, a south west wind has that effect. In the ma¬ 
ritime part of Georgia, the winter is very mild, snow be¬ 
ing seldom seen, and the east wind is there the warmest. 

SEASONS. 

The seasons in the United States generally corres¬ 
pond with those in Europe, but not with the equality to 
be expected on a continent; as, even during the sum¬ 
mer heats, single days will occur which require the 
warmth of a fire. 

The latitude of Labrador corresponds with that of 
Stockholm, and that of Canada with France, but what a 
wide difference in the temperature ! Even the estuary of 
the Delaware is generally frozen for six weeks every 
winter. It is believed, however, that the western coast 
of North America is warmer than the eastern. 



THE UNITED STATES. 


49 


The numerous forests, and wide expanses of fresh water 
perhaps contribute to this comparative coldness of the cli¬ 
mate, which may gradually yield to the progress of popu¬ 
lation and industry. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY. 

The face of these extensive territories is not so minutely 
diversified as might have been expected, the features of 
nature being here on a larger and more mfiform scale than 
in Europe. Nor are there any scenes of classical or his¬ 
torical reminiscence, which transport the mind to remote 
centuries, and impart a crowd of relative ideas. 

The abundance of timber, and the diversity of the 
foliage, contribute greatly to enrich the landscape; which 
however is less ennobled by lofty mountains than by rivers 
of great magnitude ; and is frequently injured by the bar¬ 
ren aspect of large fields, which have been exhausted by 
the culture of tobacco. 

The northern states called New England are generally 
hilly, as they approach the skirts of the Apalachian chain, 
which has by no unfit similitude been called the spine of 
the united territory. The vales in these northern regi¬ 
ons are thickly clothed with wood, and often pervaded by 
considerable rivers ; and many romantic cascades are 
formed by rivulets falling from the rocks, while towards 
the shore the land is level and sandy. 

In Virginia, a central state, the Blue Mountains, and 
other ridges, add great charms and variety to tne pros¬ 
pect, which is further enlivened by many beautiful plants 
and birds, particularly the humming bird, sucking the 
honey of various flowers, and rapidly glancing in me sun 
its indescribable hues of green, purple, and gold. Here a 
plain from I 50 to ‘200 miles in breadth, reacliing from the 
mountains to the sea, is studded with the villas of rich pro¬ 
prietors, the ancient hospitable country gentlemen of the 
United States. Similar levels appear in the Carolinas 
and Georgia. 

Beyond the Apalachian ridges extends another rich 
plain of amazing size, pervaded by the muddy waves o 
the Missisippi. In Kentucky the surface is agreeabi 
' E 


50 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY OF 


waved with gentle swells, reposing on a vast bed of lime¬ 
stone ; and a track along the Ohio is broken into small hills 
and narrow vales, 

SOIL. 

The soil, though of various descriptions, is generally 
fertile, often, on the east of the Blue Mountains, a rich 
brown loamy earth, sometimes a yellowish clay, which 
becomes more and more sandy towards the sea. Some¬ 
times there are considerable marshes, and what are call¬ 
ed salt meadows, and spots called barrens, which, even 
in the original forests, are found to be bare of trees, for 
a considerable space. 

On the west of the Apalachian chain the soil is also 
generally excellent; and in Kentucky some spots are 
deemed too rich for wdieat, but the product may amount 
to sixty bushels an acre: and about six feet below the 
surface there is commonly a bed of limestone. The 
vales in the northern states are also very productive. 

AGRICULTURE. 

In agriculture the Americans are well skilled, and arc 
eager to adopt the advantages 6f English experience. 
The great Washington was himself an excellent practical 
farmer; and it is computed that at least three parts in 
four of the inhabitants of the United States are employ¬ 
ed in agriculture. This free and vigorous yeomanry may 
well be regarded as the chief glory of any state; and 
commerce will import sufficient opulence to enable them 
to promote every possible improvement. 

Agriculture particularly flourishes in New England, 
New York, and Pennsylvania ; and it is making rapid 
advances in all the other states; even in some of the 
poorer counties of those states. 

The more general use of gypsum, as a condiment or 
manure, has been of the utmost importance to the coun¬ 
try. It is to be wished, however, that more attention 
were paid to the use of the carbonates of lime such as 
the common limestone, which is so abundant in many 
parts of the United States. 


THE UNITED STATES. 


51 


Such however is the progress of agriculture, that the 
states are enabled almost yearly, to increase the expor¬ 
tation of grain and flour. In 1786 Pennsylvania export¬ 
ed 150,000 barrels of flour; in 1789 no less than 369,618 
barrels. Among the numerous products are wheat, rye, 
barley, buck-wheat’j, oats, beans, pease, and maize, the 
last a native grain. 

In Virginia some rice is cultlvcited, and is found to 
succeed well on the banks of the Ohio. The German 
spelt a valuable product is also sown in Pennsylvania; 
and in several states hemp and flax arc considerable ob¬ 
jects of agriculture. 

The culture of turnips, and some oth.er vegetables 
common on English farms, seen\s as yet to draw too lit¬ 
tle attention; but many cultivated grasses are sown, and 
in difi'erent parts of the Union there are lucern, burnet, 
red, white, and yellow clover, &c. 

In Pennsylvania great attention is paid to the cultiva¬ 
tion of clover. That invaluable plant the potatoe is a na¬ 
tive of America. Several kinds of melon and cucum¬ 
ber are cultis’ated. Hops (a native plant) are also culti¬ 
vated : and it is almost unnecessary to add tobacco, a well 
known product of Virginia, which opulent state bears a 
considerable resemblance in culture and manners to some 
of the West Indian settlements. 

( Orchards are favourite objects; and cyder is a com- 
, mon beverage in the northern andmidclle states. Peaches 
I are greatly cultivated in Virginia, New York, and Penn- 
/ sylvania, where the peach brandy is noted ; and there are 
also excellent apricots and nectarines. Strawberries, of 
i a very superior quality, grow wild in many parts of the 
1 Union, where they purple extensive fields. 

RIVERS. 

The chief rivers of the United States have already 
I been briefly described in the general view of North Ame- 
‘ rica; but a few may be here mentioned of a more con- 
I fined course, and more particularly belonging to the 
I United Territory.. 





5 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY OF 


The Misshifi/ii^ besides the celebrated Ohio, pervading 
the centre of the United Territory from east to west, re¬ 
ceives many other considerable streams, among which 
is the Illinois, which waters extensive and fertile mea¬ 
dows. More northern streams, liowing into the Missisippi 
are the Uisconsin, the Chipawy, and the river St. Croix. 

The noble stream of the Ohio receives from the north 
the Muskingum, the Sioto, Great and Little Miami, and 
the Wabash : from the south the (ireat Kennaway, the 
Kentucky, the Green River, and above all the Cumber¬ 
land and the Tennessee; while the country on the west 
of Georgia is watered by several streams which join the 
gulf of Mexico. 

Among the numerous rivers which flow, on the east, 
into the Atlantic, may be mentioned the limitary stream 
of St. Croix, the Penabscot, the Kennebec, the Saco, 
the Merimac, the Connecticut, a long and distinguished 
stream, which gives name to the state, but which yields 
in length and grandeur to the Hudson river, Avhich rising 
from several lakes in the northern parts of New York, 
flows into the ocean near the flourishing city of that 
name. 

I'he river Delanvare which \vashes Philadelphia, being 
joined by numerous streams, is more remarkable for its 
width than for the length of its course. 

The Susquehanna is distinguished by both these attri¬ 
butes, and after a long and circuitous progress forms the 
chief contributary stream to the bay of Chesapeak ; which 
also receives the Potomac, the Rappahannoc, York river, 
and James river. 

The Potomac is not only celebrated as the seat of 
the new capital, but for its irruption through the Blue 
Ridge of the Apalachian Mountains, being first joined 
by the Shenandoa, a considerable river from the south, 
'i he range however consists of broken rocks, and the 
scene is thought to yield greatly in sublimity to the pas¬ 
sage of the Lauricocha or false Maranon, through the 
Ancles, worn intoperpendicularw-allsof stupendous height 
and length. 


THE UNITED STATES. 


53 


Further to the south, the chief rivers flow west into the 
Ohio and Missisippi. But the Black water and Staun¬ 
ton join the Roanok inlet: and Pamlico sound receives 
a river of the same name. That of cape Fear, the Pe- 
dee, the Santee, the Savannah, and the Altamaha of 
Georgia, close the list of the chief rivers of the United 
States. 

LAKES. 

Besides the great lakes which form the northern boun¬ 
dary, most of which have been already mentioned in the 
general descripton of North America, there are some 
considerable lakes in the northern parts of the United 
Territory. Those on the west have been little explored. 
The small lakes called Cedar, Little Winnipeg, and 
Leech, supply some of the principal sources of the 
Missisippi. 

CHAMPLAIN. 

On the east the most important lake is that of Cham¬ 
plain, rather resembling a wide river, which flows into 
that of St. Lawrence, and supplies an easy communica¬ 
tion with Canada. The Champlain is the boundary be¬ 
tween the states of New York and V^ermont, being in 
length about seventy-five geographical miles, while the 
breadth seldom exceeds four or five ; and it terminates 
in the broad river called Chambly orRichlieu, which falls 
within the limits of Canada. Lake George, at the south¬ 
ern extremity of Champlain, approaches within a few 
miles of the Hudson river, so that a canal might be 
opened at a small expense. Besides many small lakes 
south-west of the Champlain, there are several other lakes 
in the same direction, and also in the state of New-York, 
as the Oneida, the Cayuga, the Senneka, the Cannen- 
dagua, &c. These, though not very considerable in 
magnitude, are of great importance in facilitating the 
conveyance of produce through an immense extent of 
territory. 

MOUNTAINS. 

The chief mountains have been likewise slightly de¬ 
scribed in the general view of North America. The 

E 2 


54 NATURAL GEOGRAPHY OF 

Wliite and Green mountains in the northern states, and 
the Land’s Height, which bounds the district of Maine, 
may be regarded as elongations oi the Apalachian chain, 
to which also belong the Savage and Raid mountains, and 
the Allegheny, so called from another name of the river 
Ohio, (sometimes extended to the whole Apalachian,) 
with many other local denominations, the Blue Moun¬ 
tains being the most general term for the exterior con¬ 
siderable ridge towards the ocean. 

FORESTS. 

Aboriginal forests are so numerous throughout the 
United Territory, that none seem to be particularly dis¬ 
tinguished. 

SWAMPS. 

The large tract in the eastern part of Virginia and 
North Carolina, called the Dismal Swamp, occupies 
about 150,000 acres ; but it is entirely covered with trees, 
juniper, and cypress, on the more moist parts, and on 
the drier, white and red oaks, and a variety of pines. 

These trees attain a prodigious size; and among them 
there is often thick brushwood, so as to render thesw'amp 
impervious, while other forests in North America are 
frequently free from under-wood. Cane reeds (different 
species of arundo) and tall rich grass, soon fatten the 
cattle of the vicinity, which are taught to return to the 
farms of their own accord. In this swampy forest, bears, 
wolves, deer, and other wild animals abound; and sto¬ 
ries (for which, perhaps, there is no foundation) are told 
of children having been lost, who have been seen, after 
many years, in a wdld state of nature. Some parts are 
so dry as to bear a horse, while some are overflo^ved, 
and others so miry that a man would sink up to the neck. 
A canal has been led through it; and even in the dry 
parts -water of the colour of brandy, as is supposed from 
the roots of the junipers, gushed in, the depth of three 
feet. In the northern part the timber supplies an arti¬ 
cle of trade, while in the southern, rice is found to pros¬ 
per ; and in the neighbourhood none of these diseases 
arc known which haunt other marshy situations. 


55 


THE UNITED STATES. 

Georgia presents a singular marsh, or in the wet sea¬ 
son a lake, called Ekansanoko,' by others Ouaquafenoga, 
in the south-east extremity of the state. This marshy 
lake is about 300 miles in circumference, and contains 
several large and fertile isles, one of which is represent¬ 
ed by the Creek Indians as a kind of paradise, inhabited 
by a peculiar race, whose women are incomparably beau¬ 
tiful, and are called by them daughters of the sun. These 
islanders are said to be a remnant of an ancient tribe, 
nearly exterminated by the Creeks. 

BOTANY, 

A country that experiences on one frontier the severity 
of the Canadian winters, and on the other basks in the 
full radiance of the West-Indian summers, may natu¬ 
rally be expected to contain no small variety of native 
plants. So numerous and important indeed are they, 
as to render it impossible, in a work not devoted particu¬ 
larly to the subject, to notice them as they deserve ; we 
must therefore be contented with the selection of such 
alone as, from their utility and beauty have the strongest 
claim to our attention. 

The botany of the states, including the Floridas, or, 
in other words, of the whole region extending eastward 
from the Missisippi to the ocean, and southward from 
the river St. Lawrence with its lakes to the gulf of Mexico, 
may be divided into those vegetables which are common 
to the whole country, and those that occupy only particu¬ 
lar parts. 

ZOOLOGY. 

The domestic zoology of the United States nearly cor¬ 
responds with that of the parent country, with some few 
shades of difference in size and colour. 

Among the larger wild animals may be mentioned the 
bison^ large herds of which used to be seen near the Mis¬ 
sisippi, and they were once very numerous in the western 
parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania. 


* See Botany in the large Pinkerton. 


56 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY OF 


The musk bull and cow only appear in the more western 
regions, beyond the Missisippi. 

Among the animals now, in all probability, lost, the 
mammoth deserves particular attention. The bones of 
this species of elephant have been discovered in many 
parts of North-America; particularly in the western coun¬ 
try at the salines of the Ohio, on the waters Of the Cum¬ 
berland river, and in the state of New York. 

The teeth and bones of other large animals have also 
been found, some of the most singular of which are de¬ 
posited in the museum of the American Philosophical 
Society, at Philadelphia. These were found in a nitrous 
cave, in the western parts of Virginia. They are the 
remains of an animal of considerable size, and, perhaps, 
not specifically distinct from that whose skeleton was 
found in the year 1796, near the banks of the river Plata, 
in South America. 

The moose deer are become extremely rare, and will 
probably in no long time be utterly extirpated, as the 
wolf and boar have been in Britain. The black moose 
deer are said to have been sometimes twelve feet in 
height, while the species called the grey seldom exceed 
the height of a horse. Both have large palmated horns 
weighing thirty or forty pounds. 

The moose deer is only a large species t)f the elk, 
and is found in the northern parts of the United States; 
while the rein deer inhabits the northern regions of 
British America. 

The American stag, better known by the name of elk, 
rather exceeds the European in size, and is seen in great 
numbers feeding in the rich savannas of the Missouri 
and Missisippi, where there are also herds of that kind 
called the Virginian deer. 

In the northern states are two kinds of bears, both 
black; but that carnivorous animal called the ranging 
bear is found in all the states, as is the wolf. 

Several kinds of foxes are also seen ; and the wolver¬ 
ine is a species of bear. The animal most dreaded is the 
catamount, or cat of the mountains, found in the northern 


THE UNITED STATES. 


57 


and middle states, and is probably the same with the 
puma of Pennant, v/hich is sometimes in North America 
called the panther. One killed in New Hampshire w’as 
six feet in length, and the tail three ; but the length of the 
leg did not exceed twelve inches. 

I'he cougar is about five feet in length, and in the 
southern states is called the tiger : but it is well known 
that the ferocious animals of the new continent are totally 
different from those of the old, there being neither lions, 
tigers, leopards, nor panthers, in the whole extent of 
North America. 

The tiger of S. America is marked with black spots 
on a white or yellowish ground ; is greatly superior to 
the African tiger in size, and is said to carry off horses 
or oxen with ease; and seems to exceed in size, any 
American beast of prey admitted in the system of Buffon. 

The the ocelot, and the margay, are smaller 

beasts of prey, of the cat kind.^ These and many other 
animals supply furs. The beaver is well known from the 
fur, and the singular formation of his cabin, built in ponds 
for the sake of security ; but he seems to feed on the 
twigs of trees, and not on fish, as commonly supposed. 

This industrious animal is found in all the states, and is 
somewhat imitated by the musk rat, who likewise builds 
his hut in shallow streams. The morse or sea cow, and 
the seal, used to frequent the northern shores ; and the 
manaii, common in South America, sometimes appears 
oii the southern coasts ; this animal, which has fore feet 
like hands, and a tail like a fish, while the breasts of the 
female resemble those of a woman, seems to be the 
mermaid of fable. 

Among the birds there are many species of eagles, 
haw'ks, vultures, owls ; and numerous sorts called by 
Imropean names, though generally different in the eye 
of the naturalist. 

The bird called a turkey is peculiar to America, and 
abounds through a great tract of country. They were 
brought from Mexico to Spain, and from Spain to Eng¬ 
land about 1524 j the African poultry, being Guinea 


58 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY OF 


fowls. There are also birds which considerably resem¬ 
ble the partridge, ptarmigan, and quail of Europe. 

The United Slates abound with beautiful birds, among 
which is the humming bird, as already mentioned, and 
the Virginia nightingale, while the wakon is said to re¬ 
semble the bird of paradise ; and it may be conceived 
that vast varieties of aquatic birds crowd the numerous 
lakes and rivers, the largest being the wild swan, which 
sometimes weighs thirty-six pounds. ^ 

Some species of pelican are also common. Some of 
the frogs are of remarkable size ; and the tortoise, or 
turtle, supplies a delicious food, while the alligator is ex¬ 
tremely common in the southern rivers. 

Of serpents there are near forty kinds found in the Lh 
Territories. The black snake is the largest, being from six 
to ten or twelve feet in length, but is quite innocent.-— 
There are different species of rattlesnakes : all of them 
are characterised by a peculiar tail-apparatus, the cre/ii- 
taculuin^ or rattle, from which they receive their name. 
They are ail venemous. These animals seldom attain 
the length of seven feet. The niocasin is also a poison¬ 
ous species. 

The fish of the United States are very numerous, but 
have not been sufficiently examined. Not a few of them 
are common to the old and to the new world. Such are 
the salmon, cod, shad, herring, 8cc. But the rivei's, and 
especially the lakes of this great tract of country, seem 
to possess many species that are peculiar to America. 

Perhaps no portion of the world is more abundant in 
insects than the .United States. Many of these are 
extremely injurious to the various w'ild and cultivated 
vegetables. The Hessian-fly, the pea bug the insect so 
destruccive to the peach tree, not to mention many others, 
appear to be indigenous animals. 

Beside these, not a few of the pernicious insects of 
Europe have been imported. Some of the native insects 
of the United States have, however, been applied to use¬ 
ful purposes. Thus the potatoe-fly is used as a substitute 
for cantharides, to which it is by no means inferior in 
strength. 


59 


THE UNITED STATES. ^ 

MINERALOGY. 

The mineraloj^y of the United States has been much 
less attended to ihan the botany and zoolop;y of this great 
tract of couiiti y. This is a circumstance much to be re¬ 
gretted, as it is presumed that few countries of the 
world will be found more interesting in a mineralogical 
point of view, than the countries of the Union, even ex¬ 
clusively of tlie newly acquired territory of Louisiana. 

In the district of Maine, the founderies are supplied 
with bog iron ore ; and there is said to be a kind of stone 
which yields copperas or vitriol, and sulphur. 

Iron ore is found in great abundance in Massachusetts, 
where there are considerable manutactures. It is believ¬ 
ed that every state in the Union is more or less abun¬ 
dantly supplied with this metallic body, in different forms. 
But it is particularly abundant in some of the states, 
as in Pennsylvania, where the beds of ore appear to be 
inexhaustible. 

Copper ore is also common in Massachusetts, with 
black lead and aluminous slate ; and asbestos is said to 
be found in a quarry of limestone. 

In Rhode Island there are mines of iron and copper; 
and at Diamond hill a variety of curious stones. 

At Philipsburg in New York, is a silver mine; and 
lead, zinc, and manganese, w ith copper and coal. Gyp¬ 
sum, talc, asbestos, also occur in that extensive state. 

In New Jersey a rich copper mine was long wrought, 
pretended to have been discovered by a flame visible in 
the night, like one of the gold mines in Hungary. 

Copper ore is found in Pennsylvania. A lump of gold 
ore was found near the falls of Rappahannock, probably- 
rolled down from its source or that of some tributary ri¬ 
vulet. Gold is said to have been found in North Carolina. 

In Virginia there are lead mines which yield from fifty 
to eighty pounds from one hundred of ore: copper, 
manganese, and black lead are also found ; and there is 
abundance of excellent coal on both sides of James river. 
Coal also abounds towards the Missisippi and Ohioj and 


60 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY OF 


at Pittsburg, in Pennsylvania, is of a superior quality : 
but this valuable mineral is chiefly worked in Virginia, 
where the beds seem very extensive. 

Limestone is rare in Virginia, on the east of the Blue 
ridge; but there is a vein of marble which crosses James 
river. On the west side of this ridge limestone abounds; 
indeed it constitutes the foundation of the gi*eat vallies 
that are comprehended between the Blue ridge and North 
mountain, and other extensive chains of hills. In Penn¬ 
sylvania, and in Maryland, the eastern veins of limestone 
are more abundant. 

North Carolina iscrossed by a long ridge of limestone, 
in a south-westei’Iy direction, and some useful minerals 
have been discovered. In the territory south of the 
Ohio, what is called stone-coal is found in the Cumber¬ 
land mountains, or great Laurel ridge, and there are 
salt springs near the upper branches of the Tennessee. 

In South Carolina there are appearances of gold, sil¬ 
ver, lead, and copper, with abundance of iron ore, and 
quarries of free stone. Georgia, the most southern state, 
is of a rich soil; but besides a bank of oyster shells, 
ninety miles from the sea, we are not prepared to say 
much on its mineralogy. 

Mineral Waters. There are many mineral wa¬ 
ters, of various virtues, in different parts of the United 
States, and some of them not inferior to those of Bath, 
or Aix-la-Chapelle. In the state of Vermont, there 
is a remarkable sulphureous spring, which dries up in 
two or three years, and bursts out in another place. 

There are several mineral springs in Massachusetts, 
but little frequented, and there is another at Stafford in 
Connecticut. Those of Saratoga, in the state of New 
York, are remarkably copious and surrounded with sin¬ 
gular petrifactions. They are considerably frequented, 
as well of those of New Lebanon in the same country. 

New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and several other 
states abound in excellent chalybeate waters, some of 
which are much frequented ; and near Oil-'creek, in 
Pennsylvania, on the river Allegheny, there'is'a spring 



THE UNITED STATES. 6l 

which yields petroleum, said to be useful in rheumatic 
complaints. 

Several warm springs occur in Virginia, one of them 
106 degrees. These are in the county of Bath, and are 
much resorted to ; but others, more frequented, are near 
the river Potomac, in the county of Berkeley. 

A bituminous spring was discovered on the estate of 
General Washington, which easily takes fire, and con¬ 
tinues burning for some time. The salt springs in Ken¬ 
tucky also deserve mention ; and there are others in the 
state of Tennessee. Those at Onondago, in the state of 
New York, are extremely valuable, supplying a great tract 
of country with this necessary article. Immense mines 
of rock-salt, have been discovered in one of the southern 
branches of the Missouri, in Louisiana. 

In Georgia, near the town of Washington, there is 
a remarkable spring rising from a hollow tree, which is 
incrusted with matter most probably calcareous. There 
are several mineral springs, of different properties, in 
South Carolina. The Eutaw spring which is purgative, 
will long be remembered, by reason of the engagement 
which took place near this water, in the year 1781, be¬ 
tween the American army and that of Great Britian. 

NATURAL CURIOSITIES. 

The natural curiosities of the United States are nume¬ 
rous, and many of them have been examined with atten¬ 
tion ; but as they will have to be noticed in the different 
states wherein they occur, we shall omit the subject un¬ 
der the present head. 


ISLANDS. 

The chief islands belonging to the United States arc 
the following, viz. Martha’s Vineyard, which is part of 
the state of Massachusetts : it is about twenty-one miles 
long and six broad. 

Nantucket, belonging to the same State: this lies to 
the eastward of Martha’s Vineyard; and is fifteen miles 
long, and its general breadth three and an half miles. 

F 


62 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


Rhode Island, from which the State receives its name, 
is about 15 miles long from north-east to south-west, and 
about three and an half broad* The town of Newport 
is situated in the island. 

Long Island belongs to the state of New York. It ex¬ 
tends from Hudson’s river, opposite to Staten Island, al¬ 
most to the western bounds of the coast of Rhode Island, 
and terminates with Montauk Point: it is about 140 miles 
long, and its average breadth not above ten : it is sepa¬ 
rated from Connecticut by Long Island Sound: this 
island was called by the Indians of the country, Man¬ 
hattan^ and afterwards Nassau Island. 

Staten Island, already mentioned, is also a part of New 
York : it is about eighteen miles in length, and at a me¬ 
dium, six or seven miles in breadtli. 

Many other islands, of more or less consequence, are 
scattered along the coast, and in the various bays and 
lakes of the United States; but they are too inconsider¬ 
able to be particularly noticed in a work such as the pre¬ 
sent. 


The next thing in order will be the Geography of each 
State individually, and that we may the more fully pre¬ 
serve the order and regularity of our illustrious model, 
Pinkerton, we sliall begin with 

PENNSYLVANIA. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

A 

ORIGINAL POPULATION. 

PENNSYLVANIA was originally peopled by various 
wandering tribes of Indians, till about the year 1683, 
when the celebrated William Penn, (from whom, and the 
sylvan state of the country,) it has its present name, be¬ 
came proprietor, and sent a colony thither from England; 




OF PENNSYLVANIA. 


63 


this colony so encreased that in less than a century, and 
within the life time of the first person born in Philadel¬ 
phia, its capital, it was computed to contain 6000 houses 
and 40,000 inhabitants in the city and'suburbs. 

BOUNDARIES AND EXTENT. 

It is bounded on the east by the river Delaware which 
divides it from New Jersey, north by New York, north¬ 
west by a part of lake Erie, west by the Western Terri¬ 
tory and part of Virginia, south by a part of Virginia, 
Delaware and Maryland. It is 288 miles in length and 
150 in breadth, lying between five degrees west longitude 
from Philadelphia, and 20 minutes east ; and between 
39 degrees 43 minutes and 42 degrees of north latitude. 

HISTORY. 

Pennsylvania was granted by king Charles II. to Mr. 
Wiliam Penn, son of the famous Admiral Penn, in con¬ 
sideration of his father’s service to the crown. Mr. 
Penn’s petition for the grant was presented to the king in 
1680, and after considerable delays, the charter of Penn¬ 
sylvania received the royal signature on the 4th of 
March, 1681. 

In 1699, the proprietary arrived from England and 
assumed the reins of government. While he remained 
in Pennsylvania, the last of Jirivileges^ or frame of govern¬ 
ment, which continued until the revolution, was agreed 
upon and established. This was completed and delivered 
to the people by the proprietary, October 28, 1701, just 
on his embarking for England. The inhabitants of the 
Territory^ as it was then called, or the lower counties, 
refused to accept this charter, and thus separated them¬ 
selves from the province of Pennsylvania. They after¬ 
wards had their own assembly, in which the governor of 
Pennsylvania used to preside. 

In September, 1700, the Susquehanna Indians grant¬ 
ed to Mr. Penn all their lands on both sides the river. 
The Susquehanna, Shavvanese and Potamac Indians, 
however, entered into articles of agreement with Mr. 
Penn, by which, on certain conditions of peaceable and 


64 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY 


friendly behaviour, they were permitted to settle about 
the head of Potomac, in the province of Pennsylvania, 
7'he Conostoga chiefs also, in 1701, ratified the grant 
of the Susquehanna Indians, made the preceding year. 

In 1708, Mr. Penn obtained from the Sachems of the 
country, a confirmation of the grants made by fo’’mer 
Indians, of all the lands from Duck Creek to the moun¬ 
tains, and from the Delaware to the Susquehanna. In 
this deed, the Sachems declared that “ they had seen, 
and heard read, divers prior deeds which had been given 
to Mr. Penn by former chiefs.” 

Wliile Mr. Penn was in America, he erected Philadel¬ 
phia into a corporation. The charter was dated October 
25, 1701. 

By the favourable terms which Mr. Penn offered to 
settlers, and an unlimited toleration of all religious de¬ 
nominations, the population of the Province was extremely 
rapid. 

At the Revolution, the government was abolished. 
The proprietaries were absent, and the people, by their 
representatives, formed a new constitution on republican 
principles. The proprietaries were excluded from all 
share in the government; and the legislature offered 
them one hundred and thirty thousand pounds, in lieu 
of all quit rents, which was finally accepted. The pro¬ 
prietaries, however, still possess in Pennsylvania many 
large tracts of excellent land. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION. 

THE number of different religious sects in this State 
may easily be imagined from the account given of the 
number of houses of public worship in Philadelphia. 



OF PENNSYLVANIA. 


65 


LAWS. 

The laws are very nearly the same as those described 
under the head United States, By the constitution of 
Pennsylvania, the supreme executive power of the com¬ 
monwealth is vested in a governor, the legislative in a 
general assembly, consisting of a Senate and House of 
Representatives. The governor is chosen for three years, 
but cannot hold his office more than nine years in twelve. 
A plurality of votes makes a choice. The representa¬ 
tives are elected for one year; the senators for four. 
The latter are divided into four classes. The time of 
one class expires each year, whose seats are then filled 
with new elections. Each county chooses its represen¬ 
tatives separately. The senators are chosen in districts 
formed by the legislature. 

POPULATION, ARMY, 8cc. 

The population of this State is estimated at 603,000; 
and, as, by the constitution, they can keep no standing 
army in time of peace, their militia, consisting of men 
between 18 and 53 years of age, are said to exceed 90 
thousand. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

THE manners and customs of Pennsylvania are form¬ 
ed from a proportionate assemblage of the national pre¬ 
judices, characters, religions and political sentiments of 
its inhabitants, who are principally the descendants of the 
English, Irish, and Germans, with some Scotch, Welsh, 
Swedes, and a few Dutch. There are also many of the 
Irish and Germans, who emigrated when young or mid¬ 
dle aged. The Friends and Episcopalians are chiefly of 
English extraction, and compose about one third of the 
inhabitants. They live principally in the city of Phila- 
F2 



66 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


delphia, and in the counties of Chester, Philadelphia, 
Bucks and Montgomery. The Irish are mostly Presby¬ 
terians, but some are Catholics. Their ancestors came 
from the north of Ireland, which was originally settled 
from Scotland; hence they have sometimes been called 
Scotch Irish, to denote their double descent. But they^ 
are commonly and more properly called Irish, or the de¬ 
scendants of people from the north of Ireland. They 
inhabit the western and frontier counties, and are nume¬ 
rous. 

The Germans compose about one quarter of the in¬ 
habitants of Pennsylvania. They are most numerous in 
the north parts of the city of Philadelphia, and the coun¬ 
ties of Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Dauphin, Lan¬ 
caster, York, and Northampton; mostly in the four last, 
and are spreading in other parts. They consist of Lu¬ 
therans, (who are the most numerous sect) Calvinists or 
Reformed Church, Moravians, Catholics, Mennonists, 
Tunkers (corruptly called Dunkers) and Zwingfelters, 
who are a species of Quakers. These are all distin¬ 
guished for their temperance, industry and economy. 

The Baptists, (except the Mennonistand Tunker Bap¬ 
tists, who are Germans) are chiefly the descendants of 
emigrants from Wales, and are not numerous. 

LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE. 

The English language is the only language used on 
all public occasions. In the German settlements the 
German language is still spoken though falling daily in¬ 
to disuse. 

In Philadelphia is the University of Pennsylvania, the 
College and Academy of Philadelphia. An act to unite 
these two institutions has passed the legislature; the 
union of which has constituted one of the most respect¬ 
able seminaries of learning in the United States. 

Dickinson college at Carlisle, 120 miles westward of 
Philadelphia, was founded in 1783. In 1787, there were 
80 students belonging to this college; the number is an¬ 
nually increasing. It was named after his excellency 
Johp Dickinson. 


OF PENNSYLVANIA. 


er 


In 1787, a college -vvas founded at Lancaster, 62 miles 
from l^hiladelphia, and honoured with the name of Frank¬ 
lin college, after his excellency Dr. Franklin. This col¬ 
lege was intended for the Germans; but at present, only 
the Latin and Greek classics are taught there. 

The Episcopalians have an academy at York town, in 
York county. There are also academies at Germantown, 
at Pittsburg, at Washington, at Allen’s town, and other 
places, endowed by donations from the legislature, and 
by liberal contributions of individuals. 

The schools for young men and women in Bethlehem 
and Nazareth, under the direction of the people called 
Moravians, are perhaps upon the best establishment of 
any schools in America. 

Besides these, there are many literary, humane and 
other useful societies. These are more numerous and 
flourishing in this, than in any of the other states. The 
names of these improving institutions are as follow: The 
American Philosophical Society, held at Philadelphia, for 
promoting useful knowledge, formed January 2d, 1769.... 
The Society for promoting political inquiries, instituted 
in February, 1787....The College of Physicians, instituted 
in 1787, for the promotion of medical, anatomical and 
chemical knowledge, incorporated 1789....The Pennsyl¬ 
vanian Hospital....The Philadelphia Dispensary, for the 
medical relief of the poor....The Pennsylvania Society 
for promoting the abolition of slavery, and the relief of 
free Negroes unlawfully held in bondage....The Society 
of the United Brethren for propagating the gospel among 
the heathens, instituted in 1787, to be held statedly 

at Bethlehem.The Pennsylvanian Society for the 

encouragement of manufactures and useful arts. Be¬ 
sides these, there is also a Society for alleviating the 
miseries of prisons ...and a Humane Society for the re¬ 
covering and restoring to life the bodies of drowned per¬ 
sons, instituted in 1770.... A Society for the aid and pro¬ 
tection of Irish emigrants....x\n Agricultural Society.... 
A Society for German emigrants....A marine Society.... 



€8 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


A Charitable Society for the support of widows and fa¬ 
milies of Presbyterian Clergymen....A Society for the 
information and assistance of emigrants....St. George’s, 
St. Andrew’s, and the Hibernian Charitable Societies. 
Most of these Societies are in the city of Philadelphia. 

CPIIEF TOWNS. 

The city of Philadelphia, capital of the state of Penn¬ 
sylvania, and till the year 1801 the seat of government 
of the IJnited States, lies in latitude 39 degrees 56 mi¬ 
nutes north, upon the western bank of the river Delaware, 
which is here but a mile in breadth. 

It was laid out by William Penn, founder of the pro¬ 
vince, in the year 1683, and settled by a colony from 
England. 

The ground plot of the city is an oblong square, about 
one mile north and south, and two miles east and west, 
lying in the narrowest part of the isthmus between the 
Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, about five miles in a right 
line above their confluence. 

The city was first incorporated by charter under the 
great seal of the province, in the year 1701: before that 
period it was called the town of Philadelphia. 

The number of inhabitants within the city and suburbs, 
(including the district of Southwark, and the compactly 
built part of the Northern Liberties, which, to every pur¬ 
pose but as to their government, are considered as parts 
of the city) was found, by the census of 1790, to be 
42,520, and the number of houses 6651, and stores and 
work-shops 415. In 1800, the number of inhabitants, 
within the same limits, amounted to 67,811. The num¬ 
ber of inhabitants has increased, it is supposed, more 
than one third since. 

The houses for public worship are noticed under the 
head United States. 

The other public buildings in the city, besides houses 
for public worship, and the university and college already 
mentioned, are the following, viz. 


r 


OF PENNSYLVANIA. 


69 


A state house and offices, 
Two city court houses, 

A county court house, 

A carpenter’s hall, 

A philosophical society’s hall, 
A dispensary, 

An hospital and offices, 

* A charity school. 


An aim’s house, 

Two incorporated hanks, 

A house of correction, 

A dramatic theatre, 

A public observatory, 

A medical theatre 8c laboratory, 
A public gaol. 


The boroug;h of Lancaster is the largest inland town 
in the United States. It is the seat of justice in Lan¬ 
caster county, and stands near Conostoga creek, over 
which there is now a superb stone bridge, built by the 
public spirited exertions of Mr. y\braham Witmer, of 
that place. The town contains nine hundred houses, 
besides a most elegant court house, a number of hand¬ 
some churches, and other public buildings, and, in 1800, 
4292 souls, a great proportion of whom are manufactu¬ 
rers. The state legislature hold their annual delibera¬ 
tions there. 

Carlisle (borough) is the seat of justice in Cumberland 
county, and is 120 miles west of Philadelphia. It con¬ 
tained in 1800, 2000 inhabitants, who live in more than 
500 stone houses, and worship in three churches. They 
have also a court house and a college. 

Pittsburg, on the western side of the Allegany moun¬ 
tains, 320 miles westward of Philadelphia, is beautifully 
situated on a large plain, which is the point of land be¬ 
tween the Allegany and Monongahela rivers, and about 
a quarter of a mile above their confluence, in latitude 
40 degrees 26 minutes north. In 1800, it had 1565 in¬ 
habitants. 

Bethlehem is situated on the river Lehigh, a western 
branch of the Delaware, 53 miles north of Philadelphia, 
in latitude 40 degrees 37 minutes. The town being 

* This school was commenced in the year 1801, by a society of 
young men, for the benefit of “ children of all denominations, with¬ 
out regard to the religions and country of their parents or friends.” 
The society has increased the number of its members to 270, and 
has been enabled, by the liberal donations of the citizens of Phila'« 
delphia, to erect a handsome and commodious school house. 



70 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


partly on high rising ground, and partly on the lower 
banks of the Manakes, (a fine creek, which affords trout 
and other fish) has a very pleasing and healthy situation, 
and is frequently visited in the summer season by people 
from different parts. "J’he prospect is not extensive, be¬ 
ing bounded very nearly by a chain of the Lehigh hills. 

Besides the church or public meeting hall, there are 
three large, spacious buildings, viz. The single brethren’s 
or young men’s house. The single sisters’ or young 
women’s house, where they live under the care of female 
inspectors. The house for the widow women, where 
such as have not a house of their owm, or means to have 
their own house furnished, live nearly in the same way 
as do the single sisters. 

In the house adjoining the church, is the school for 
girls; and since the year 1787, a boarding school for 
young ladies from different parts, who are instructed in 
reading and writing, (both English and German) gram¬ 
mar, arithmetic, history, geography, needle work, mu¬ 
sic, &c. 

The minister of the place has the special care and in¬ 
spection of this as well as of the boy’s school, wdiich is 
kept in a separate house, fitted to that purpose, and are 
taught reading and writing in both languages, the rudi- 
diments of the Latin tongue, arithmetic, See. These 
schools, especially that for the young ladies, are deserv¬ 
edly in very high repute; and scholars more than can be 
accommodated, are offered form all parts of the United 
States. 

Nazareth is 10 miles north from Bethlehem, and 63 
north from Philadelphia. It is a tract of good land, con¬ 
taining about 5000 acres, purchased originally by the 
Rev. Mr. George Whitfield, in 1740, and sold two years 
after to the brethren. 

Harrisburg is a very flourishing place, about 100 miles 
west by north from Philadelphia. 


OF PENNSYLVANIA. 


71 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATES AND SEASONS. 

THIS State, although situated in a very moderate 
cfimate, between, we may say, 40 and 42 degrees of 
N. latitude, has nevertheless a great variety in its sea¬ 
sons. The winters are here more severe than any Eu¬ 
ropean climate of 10 degrees a more northern position ; 
while the summers’ heat is found eciually intolerable.— 
Tho sudden transitions from heat to cold, and the con¬ 
trary, particularly in the months of autumn, are con¬ 
ceived to be the primary cause of agues, intermittent, 
and chronic disorders, which render many people’s days 
miserable, and eventually shorten their lives. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY. 

A considerable proportion of this State may be called 
mountainous, particularly the counties of Bedford, Hunt¬ 
ingdon, Cumberland, part of Franklin, Dauphin, and part 
of Bucks and Northampton, through which pass, under 
various names, the numerous rklges and spurs, which 
collectively form what we choose to call, for the sake of 
clearness, The Great Range of Allegany Mountains.” 
The vales between these mountains are generally of a 
rich, black soil, suited to the various kinds of grain and 
grass. Some of the mountains will admit of cultivation 
almost to their tops. The other parts of the State are 
generally level, or agreeably variegated with hills and 
valleys. 


SOIL, AGRICULTURE, See. 

A great proportion of the State is good land, and no 
inconsiderable part is very gootl. Perhaps the propor¬ 
tion of first rate land is not greater in any of the United 
States. The richest part of the State that is settled, is 


7 % 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


Lancaster county, and ihe valley through Cumberland,, 
York and Franklin. The richest that is unsettled, lies 
between Allegany river and lake Erie, in the northwest 
corner of the State, and in the country on the heads of 
the eastern branches of the Allegany. 

The produce, manufactures and exports of Pennsyl¬ 
vania, are very many and various; viz. wheat, rye, In¬ 
dian corn, buck-wheat, iron, gunpowder, cannon ball, 
iron cannon, muskets, lumber, ships, bricks. See. See. 

In the year 1786, their exports of flour were 150,000 
barrels; in 1787 they were ‘i02,000 barrels; in 1788 
they were 220,000 barrels; in 1789 they were 369,618 
barrels; and in 1803 they were upwards of 500,000 bar 
rels. 

RIVERS. 

There are six considerable rivers, which, with their 
numerous branches, peninsulate the whole State, viz. 
the Delaware, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Youhiogeny, 
Monongahela, and Allegany, i he bay and river Dela¬ 
ware are navigable from the sea up to the great or lower 
falls at Trenton, 155 miles. The distance of Philadel¬ 
phia from the sea is about 60 miles across the land in a 
S. W. course to the New Jersey coast, and 120 miles 
by the ship channel of the Delaware. So far it is navi¬ 
gable for a 74 gun ship. 

BOTANY AND MINERALOGY. 

Pennsylvania includes the greater part of the kinds of 
trees, shrubs and plants that grow within the U. States, 
as it has a central situation and considerable extent, with 
hills and vales. The sugar maple is plenty in the west 
and northern parts of the State, and yields a considera¬ 
ble supply of sugar for the use of the inhabitants. 

Iron ore is distributed in considerable quantities 
through the State; copper, lead and allum appear in 
some parts; limestone quarries occur in many places : 
several kinds of niarble are also found. In the middle 
and western counties is abundance of coal. 


OF PENNSYLVANIA, 


r3 


ZOOLOGY. 

Besides the necessary animals in the lon^ settled parts 
of the country, are many useful quadrupeds in the new 
districts, as deer in great numbers, beavers, otters, ra¬ 
coons, martins. Buffaloes rarely cross the Ohio, fffks 
seldom advance from the north. Panthers, wild-cats, 
bears, foxes, wolves are not rare. In thick settlements, 
rabbits, and squirrels, are plenty. Wild turkeys which 
formerly abounded are now all gone from the old settle¬ 
ments, but in the new they still appear in large docks. 
Partridges, pheasants and grouse, may be had in almost 
all parts of the State, suitable for their resort—wild ducks 
frequent the rivers in the spring and fall. 

Trout is common in almost every rivulet. In the west¬ 
ern part of this State is a species of cat-fish weighing 
from 50 to 100 pounds. Yellow perch, pike, and a great 
variety of other fish is found in the waters, belonging to 
this State. 


NATURAL CURIOSITIES. 

Curious Springs. In the neighbourhood of Reading 
is a spring about 14 feet deep, and about 100 feet square. 
A full mill-stream, clear and full of fish issues from it. 

In the northern parts of Pennsylvania there is a creek 
called Oil Creek, which empties into the Allegany river. 
It issues from a spring on the top of which floats an oil 
similar to that called Barbadoes tar; and of which one 
may collect several gallons—It is said this is efficacious 
in the curing of many diseases. 

Remarkable Caves. There are three remarkable 
caves in this State 1 one near Carlisle, in Cumberland 
county; one in the township of Durham, in Bucks coun¬ 
ty ; and the other at Swetara, in Lancaster county. The 
latter is on the east bank of the S-'^etara river, about 
two miles above its confluence with .he Susquehanna.... 
Its aperture is under a pretty high bank, from 15 to 
20 feet wide, and from 7 to 10 in height. Within are 
such astonishing appearances as are well worth}' the at¬ 
tention of the curious. 


G 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


r-4 


NEW JERSEY. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTENT AND B0 UNDARIES, 

IT is 160 miles long, and 52 broad; lying between 
39 degrees, and 41 degrees 24 minutes north latitude, 
and between the meridian of Philadelphia and one degree 
east longitude. 

It is bounded east, by Hudson’s river and the sea; 
south, by the sea; west, by Delaware bay and river, 
which divide it from the states of Delaware and Pennsyl¬ 
vania; and north by New York. Containing about 8,320 
square miles, equal to 5,324,800 acres. 

HISTORY. 

This State was the seat of war for several years, dur¬ 
ing the bloody contest between Great Britain and Ame¬ 
rica. Her losses both of men and property, in propor¬ 
tion to the population and wealth of the State, was great¬ 
er than of any other of the thirteen states. When 
General Washington was retreating through the Jersies, 
almost forsaken by all others, her militia were at all times 
obedient to his orders, and for a considerable length of 
time, composed the strength of his army. There is 
hardly a town in the State that lay in the progress of the 
British army, that was not rendered signal, by some en- 
terprize or exploit. At Trenton, the enemy received a 
check, which may be said, with justice, to have turned 
the tide of war. At Princeton, the seat of the muses, 
they received aTiOther, which, united, obliged them to 
retire with precipitation, and take refuge in disgraceful 
wdnter quarters. But whatever honour this State might 
derive from the relation, it is not our business to give a 
particular description of battles or sieges; we leave this 


OF NEW JERSEY. 


75 


to the pen of the historian, and only observe in general, 
that the many military achievements performed by ihe 
Jersey soldiers, give this State one of the first ranks among 
her sisters, in a military view, and entitle her to a share 
of praise in the accomplishment of the late glorious revo¬ 
lution, that bears no proportion to her size. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION. 

There are, in this State, about 50 Presbyterian con¬ 
gregations, subject to the care of three Presbyteries, 
viz. that of New York, of New Brunswick, and Phila¬ 
delphia. A part of the charge of New York and Phila¬ 
delphia Presbyteries lies in New Jersey, and part in 
their own respective states. 

Besides these, there are upwards of 40 congregations 
of Friends—30 of Baptists—25 of Episcopalians—28 of 
Dutch Reformed, besides Methodists—and a settlement 
of Moravians. All these religious denominations live 
together in peace and harmony; and are allowed, by the 
constitution of the State, to worship Almighty God, 
agreeably to the dictates of their own consciences. 

GOVERNMENT. ' 

The government of this State, agreeably to their con¬ 
stitution, is vested in a governor, legislative council, and 
general assembly. The governor is chosen annually, by 
the council and assembly jointly. 

The legislative council is composed of one member 
from each county, chosen annually by the people. The 
general assembly is composed of three members from 
each county, chosen as above. 

The military strength of New Jersey consists of a 
militia, of between 30,000 and 40,000 men. 



76 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

Many circumstances concur to render these various, 
in different parts of the State. The inhabitants are a 
collection of Low Dutch, Germans, English, Scotch, 
Irish, and New Englanders, or their descendants. Na¬ 
tional attachment, and mutual convenience, have gene¬ 
rally induced these several kinds of people to settle toge¬ 
ther in a body, and in this way their peculiar national 
manners, customs, and character are still preserved, 
especially among the poorer class of people, who have 
little intercourse with any but those of their own nation. 
The people of New Jersey are generally industrious, fru¬ 
gal and hospitable. There are, comparatively, but few 
men of learning in the State, nor can it be said that the 
people in general have a taste for the sciences. The 
poorer class (in which may be included a considerable 
proportion of the inhabitants of the whole State) are inat¬ 
tentive to the education of their children, who are but too 
generally left to grow' up in ignorance. There are, how¬ 
ever, a number of gentlemen of the first rank in abilities 
and learning in the civil offices of the State, and in the 
several ieariied professions. 

LITERATURE. 

There are tw’o colleges in New^ Jersey ; one at Prince¬ 
ton, called Nassau Hall, the other at Brunswick, called 
Queen’s College. The latter, however, exists at pre¬ 
sent only in name. 

The college at Princeton has been under the care of 
a succession of presidents, eminent for piety and learning 
and has furnished a number of Civilians, Divines and 
Physicians, of the first rank in America. This college 
was burnt in March, 1802, but is now rebuilding. 


OF NEV/ JERSEY, 


1 1 

There is a number of good academies in this State, 
viz. at Freehold, Trenton, Flackinsack, Orangedale, Eli¬ 
zabethtown, Burlington, and at Newark. Besides these, 
there are grammar schools at Springfield, Morristown, 
Bordentown and Amboy. 

CHIEF TOWNS. 

There are a number of towns in this State, nearly of 
equal size and importance; and none that has more than 
about five or six hundred houses compactly built. 

Trenton is one of the largest towns in New Jersey, and 
the capital of the State. It is situated on the east side of 
the river Delaware, opposite the falls, nearly in the cen¬ 
tre of the State, from north to south, in latitude 40 de¬ 
grees 15 minutes north, and about 15 minutes east of the 
meridian of Philadelphia. 

Burlington (city) extends three miles along the Dela¬ 
ware, and one mile back at right angles, into the county 
of Burlington, and is twenty miles above Philadelphia, 
by water, and seventeen by land. 

Perth yJmboy (city) stands on a neck of land included 
between Raritan river and Arthur Kull Sound. Its situ¬ 
ation is high and healthy. It lies open to Sandy Hook, 
and has one of the best harbours on the continent. 

Brunswick (city) is situated on the southwest side of 
Raritan river, over which a fine bridge' has been built, 
12 miles above Amboy. Its situation is low and plea¬ 
sant, being on the bank of a river, and under a high hill 
which rises back of the town. 

Princeton is a pleasant village of about 80 houses, 52 
miles from New York, and 42 from Philadelphia. Its col¬ 
lege is a large edifice of stone. 

Elizabethtovjn (borough) is fifteen miles from New 
York. Its situation is pleasant, and its soil equal in fer¬ 
tility to any in the State. 

A^’ewark is seven miles from New York. It is a hand¬ 
some flourishing town, about the size of Elizabethtown.. 

Cx 2 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AND SEASONS, 

THERE is little or no difference between the climate 
and seasons of New Jersey and Pennsylvania; as both 
these states become cleared and improved, so in propor¬ 
tion the seasons become more moderate. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY. 

The counties of Sussex, Morris, and the northern part 
of Bergen, arc mountainous. 

As much as five-eighths of most of the southern coun¬ 
ties, or one fourth of the whole State, is almost entirely 
a sandy barren, unfit in many parts for cultivation. 

This State has all the varieties of soil from the worst 
to the best kind. The good land in the southern coun¬ 
ties lies principally on the banks of rivers and creeks. 
The barrens produce little else but shrub oaks and yellow 
pines. These sandy lands yield an immense quantity 
of bog iron ore, which is worked up to great advantage 
in the iron works in these counties. 

In the hilly and mountainous parts of the State, which 
are not too rocky for cultivation, the soil is of a stronger 
kind, and covered in its natural state with stately oaks, 
hickories, chesnuts, &c. and when cultivated, produces 
wheat, rye Indian corn, buck-wheat, oats, barley, flax, 
and fruits of all kinds common to the climate. The land 
in this hilly country is good for grazing, and farmers 
feed great numbers of cattle for New York and Philadel¬ 
phia markets. 

The orchards, in many parts of the State, equal any 
in the United States, and their cider is said (and not 
without reason) to be the best in the world. 

The markets of New York and Philadelphia receive 
very considerable proportion of their supplies from the 


OF NEW JERSEY. 


79 


contiguous parts of New Jersey. These supplies consist 
of vegetables of many kinds, apples, pears, peaches, 
plums, strawberries, cherries, and other fruits—cider in 
large quantities, butter, cheese, beef, pork, mutton, and 
the lesser meats. 

TRADE AND AGRICULTURE. 

The trade of this State is carried on almost solely with, 
and from those two great commercial cities. New York 
on one side, and Philadelphia on the other; though it 
wants not good ports of its own. 

The manufactures of this State have hitherto been con¬ 
siderable, not sufficient to supply its own consumption, 
if we except the articles of iron, nails and leather. A 
spirit of industry and improvement, particularly in ma¬ 
nufactures, has, however, greatly increased within a few 
years. 

The iron manufacture is, of all others, the greatest 
source of wealth to the State. Iron works are erected 
in Gloucester, Burlington, Sussex, Morris, and other 
counties. The mountains in'the county of Morris give 
rise to a number of streams, necessary and convenient 
for these works, and at the same time furnish a copious 
supply of wood and ore of a superior quality. In this 
county alone are no less than seven rich iron mines, from 
which might be taken ore sufficient to supply the United 
States; and to work it into iron, there are two furnaces, 
two rolling and slitting mills, and about thirty forges, 
containing from two to four fires each. These works 
produce annually, about 540 tons of bar iron, 800 tons 
of pigs, besides large quantities of hollow ware, sheet 
iron, and nail rods. In the whole State it is supposed, 
there is yearly made about 1,200 tons of bar iron, 1,200 
do. of pigs, 80 do. of nail rods, exclusive of hollow 
ware, and various other castings, of which vast quanti¬ 
ties are made. 

Although the bulk of the inhabitants in this State are 
farmers, yet agriculture has not been improved (a few 
instances excepted) to that degree, which, from long ex- 


80 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


perience, we might rationally expect, and which the fer¬ 
tility of the soil, in many places, seems to encourage. 

A great part of the inhabitants are Dutch, who, al¬ 
though they are in general, neat and industrious farmers, 
have very little enterprize, and seldom adopt any new 
improvements in husbandry; because, through habits 
and want of education to expand and liberalize their 
minds, they think their old modes of tilling the best. 
Indeed this is the case with the great body of the com¬ 
mon people, and proves almost an insurmountable obsta¬ 
cle to agricultural improvements. 

RIVERS, BAYS, &c. 

New Jersey is washed, on the east and south-east, by 
Hudson’s river and the ocean ; and on the west, by the 
river Delaware. 

The most remarkable bay is Arthur Kull, or Newark 
.Bay, formed by the union of Passaik and Hackinsack ri¬ 
vers. 

The rivers in this State, though not large, are numer¬ 
ous. A traveller, in passing the common road from 
New York to Philadelphia, crosses three considerable 
rivers, viz. the Hackinsack and Passaik, between Bergen 
and Newark, and the Raritan by Brunswick.. 

Passaik is a very crooked river. It is navigable about 
ten miles, and is 230 yards wide at the ferry. The cat¬ 
aract (or Great Falls) in this river, is one of the greatest 
natural curiosities in the State. The river is about forty 
yards wide, and moves in a slow gentle current, until 
coming w'ithin a short distance of a deep cleft in a rock 
which crosses the channel, it descends and falls above 70 
feet perpendicularly, in one entire sheet. One end of the 
cleft, which was evidently made by some violent convul¬ 
sion in nature, is closed; at the other the v/ater rushes 
out with incredible swiftness, forming an acute angle 
with its former direction, and is received into a large 
bason, whence it takes a winding course through the 
rocks, and spreads into a broad smooth stream. The 
cleft is from four to twelve feet broad. The falling of the 
*water occasions a cloud of vapour to arise, which by float- 


OF NEW JERSEY. 


81 


ing amidst the sun beams, presents rainbows to the view 
which add beauty to the tremendous scene. The new 
manufacturing town of Patterson is erected upon the 
Great Fall in this river. 

Raritan river is formed by two considerable streams, 
called the north and south branches; one of which, has 
its source in Morris, the other in Hunterdon county. It 
passes by Brunswick and Amboy, and, mingling with 
the waters of the Arthur Kull Sound, helps to form the 
fine harbour of Amboy. 

Bridges are erected over the Passalk, Hackinsack and 
Raritan rivers, on the post road between New York and 
Philadelphia. These bridges greatly facilitate the inter¬ 
course between these two great cities. Another bridge 
is contemplated over the Delaware at Trenton. 

BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, &c. 

The Botany and Zoology of this State differ very little 
from that which was last described, but it is remarkable 
for the vast quantities of iron and copper ore which it 
embosoms. 

The iron ore is of two kinds ; one is capable of being 
manufactured into malleable iron; the other is called bog 
ore and yields iron of a hard, brittle quality; it is most 
commonly used for castings. 

A number of copper mines has been discovered in dif¬ 
ferent parts of the State, one is in Bergen county, which 
when worked, was considerably productive; but has for 
many years been neglected. 

A lead mine has been discovered in Hopewell township, 
four miles from Trenton. There is said to be coal-mines 
on Raritan river, below Brunswick, and one at Plucke- 
inin. 

NATURAL CURIOSITIES. 

Curious Springs. In the upper part of Morris coun¬ 
ty is a cold mineral spring which is frequented by vale¬ 
tudinarians and the waters have been used with success. 
In the township of Hanover are a number of wells, which 
although nearly 40 miles from the sea, regularly ebb and 


32 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


flow about six feet, in every 12 hours I There are besides 
these many more curious springs one of which is about a 
hundred yards from the south branch of the Raritan ri¬ 
ver, from which even in the driest seasons, issues a small 
stream, except when the wind continues to blow from the 
north west for more than two days successively, when it 
ceases to run! 

Caves. There is a very remarkable cave in the town¬ 
ship of Shrewsbury, Monmouth county ; it has three re¬ 
gular apartments or rooms in it, and placed on the side of 
a branch of Navcsink river. The cave is 30 feet long and 
15 broad. Each room is arched, the centre of the arch be¬ 
ing about five feet from the bottom of the cave; the sides 
not more than two and an half. The mouth of the cave is 
small; the bottom of a loose sand, and the arch is form¬ 
ed in a soft rock. 


DELAWARE. 

HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTENT AJ\rD BOUNDARIES. 

IT extends from 38-| degrees, to nearly 40 degrees 
north latitude; is in length 92 miles, and in breadth 20; 
containing 2000 square miles, or 1,200,000 acres. 

It has the Delaware river and bay, and the Atlantic 
ocean on the east, the state of Maryland on the south 
and west, and Pennsylvania on the north. 

EPOCHS AND ANTIQUITIES. 

The Dutch, under a pretended purchase made of Hen¬ 
ry Hudson, took possession of the lands on both sides 
the river Delaware; and as early as the year 1623, built a 
fort, in New-Jersey, at the place which has since been 
called Gloucester. 




OF DELAWARE. 


83 


In 1627, by the influence of William Useling, a re¬ 
spectable merchant in Sweden, a colony of Swedes and 
Finns came over, furnished with all the necessaries for 
beginning a new settlement, and landed at Cape-Henlo- 
pen, which they called Paradise-Point; at which time 
the Dutch had wholly quitted the country. They, 
however, returned in 1630, and built a fort at Lewes- 
town, by them named Hoarkill. The year following, 
the Swedes built a fort near Wilmington, which they 
called Christein or Christiana. Here also they laid out 
a small town, which was afterwards demolished by the 
Dutch. The same year they erected a fort higher up 
the river, upon Tenecum island, which they called New 
Gottenburgh; they also, about the same time, built forts 
at Chester, Elsingburgh, and other places. John Printz 
then governed the Swedes, and, in 1654, deputed his son- 
in-law, JohnPapgoia, and returned to Sweden. Papgoia 
soon followed his father-in-law to his native country, and 
John Rysing succeeded to the government. 

In 1655, the Dutch, under the command of Peter 
Stuyvesant, arrived in Delaware river, from New-Am- 
sterdam (now New-York) in seven vessels, with six or 
seven hundred men. They dispossessed the Swedes 
of their forts on the river, and carried they officers and 
principal inhabitants prisoners to New-Amsterdam, and 
from thence to Holland. The common people submit¬ 
ted to the conquerors, and remained in the country. 

On the first of October, 1664, Sir Robert Carr obtain¬ 
ed the submission of the Swedes on Delaware river, 
for the Duke of York. Four years after. Colonel Nicolls, 
governor of New-York, with his council, on the 2 1st of 
April, apix)inted a scout and five other persons, to assist 
Captain Carr in the government of the country. 

In 1672, the town of Newcastle was incorporated by 
the government of New-York, to be governed by a bai¬ 
liff and six assistants; after the first year the four oldest 
were to leave their office, and four others to be chosen. 
The bailiff was president, with a double vote ; the con¬ 
stable was chosen by the bench. They had power to try 
causes not exceeding ten pounds, without appeal. The 


64 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


office of scout was converted into that of sheriff, who 
had jurisdiction in the corporation and along the river, 
and was annually chosen. They were to have a free 
trade, without being obliged to make entry at New-York, 
as had formerly been the practice. 

Sir Edmund Anderson was, at this time, governor of 
the Duke of York’s territory, which, by a patent from 
Charles II. bearing date June 29, 1674, comprehended 
all that country, called by the Dutch, New-Netherlands, 
including, as was supposed, the three counties of New¬ 
castle, Kent, and Sussex. By his arbitrary imjwsitions 
he rendered both his administration and character odious 
to the people. They remonstrated in vain against his 
proceedings. 

In 1680, when Mr. Penn petitioned the crown for a 
grant of Pennsylvania, the question arose, whether or 
not the Duke of York’s grant included the three counties 
west of the Delaware river. This question came before 
the lords of the committee of foreign plantations, who 
referred it to the attorney general. His report was, 
“ that the patents granted his royal highness, of New- 
Y^ork, bounded westward by the east side of Delaware 
bay.” 

In 1665, this question received a still more formal ad¬ 
judication. On Lord Baltimore’s opposition to Mr. Penn’s 
settlement under his grant, it was brought before a com¬ 
mittee of the privy council a second time. After a full 
examination of the subject, their lordships reported, 
among other things, “that they did adjudge the land call¬ 
ed Delaware, to belong to his majesty.” 

In the settlement of the Delaware colony, under two 
deeds of feoffment from the Duke of Y’ork, in 1682, 
William Penn, became involved in a tedious and expen¬ 
sive territorial contest with Lord Baltimore. This dispute 
was decided in 1685. 

In 1682, William Penn assumed the government of 
the Delaware colony, it then became connected with 
Pennsylvania in the affairs of legislation. 

In 1701, the Delaware counties rejected the new frame 
of government proposed by the proprietary, upon which 


OF DELAWARE. 


8^5 


a breach ensued between them and Pennsylvania, which 
terminated in an entire separation. 

This separation proved favourable to the peace of the 
three lower counties; for a number of years, they enjoy¬ 
ed a considerable share of political tranquillity. At 
length, however, contests arose between the two proprie¬ 
taries, which lasted for half a century. Exhausted with 
the expense and trouble attending this perplexing busi¬ 
ness, the claimants, in May, 1732, entered into articles 
of agreement, for settling all differences, and appointed 
commissioners to complete the contract. The execution of 
these articles, and the decree thereon, through delays on 
the part of the Maryland proprietor, and some other cir¬ 
cumstances, was postponed till they were superceded by 
another agreement between Frederick Lord Baltimore, 
and the proprietaries of Pennsylvania, which was enter¬ 
ed into July 4, 1760, and was confirmed by decree, 
March 6, 1762 ; these articles and decrees were immedi¬ 
ately put in execution. The commissioners, appointed 
and authorized by the respective proprietors, surveyed the 
several lines as mentioned and described in the agreement 
—designated those lines by heaps of stones, pillars and 
other land-marks, and made return of their proceedings, 
under their hands and seals, with an exact plan or map 
of their work annexed. The change of jurisdiction, was 
not completed, till the publication of Mr. Penn’s procla¬ 
mation for that purpose on the 8th of April 1775. This 
was finally carried into operation, the laws extended, 
and the boundaries of the counties, and hundreds, estab¬ 
lished by an act of the Delaware legislature, passed Sep¬ 
tember 2, 1775. 

In the war between Britain and France, which began 
in 1755, Delaware furnished her full quota of men and 
other supplies. 

In September, 1776, the people, by their representa¬ 
tives, chosen for the express purpose, assembled, and 
established a constitution of government (which, in 1792, 
was superceded by their present constitution), and as¬ 
sumed the name of the Delaware state. Till this time 

H 



86 


POLITICAL GEOGPvAPHY 


this district had been designated by the style of ‘‘ The 
three lower counties on the Delaware.’* 

During the existence of the revolutionary war, they 
manifested their attachment to the common cause, on all 
occasions, furnishing their proportion of men, money, 
clothing, and provisions. 

When the present federal constitution was submitted, 
by the convention, to the legislatures of the several states, 
for the purpose of collecting the general sense of the 
people upon the propriety of adopting it, the state of 
Delaware Avas the first which assembled on this most im¬ 
portant business. A convention was called in November, 
which, after due examination of the constitution, and de¬ 
liberation on its merits, unanimously ratified and adopted 
it on the 3d of December, 1787, and the people have 
ever since remained its firm friends and supporters. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. * 

RELIGION. 

In this State there is a A^ariety of religious denomina¬ 
tions. Of the Presbyterian sect, there are 24 churches 
—of the Episcopal, 14—of the Baptists, 7—of the Me¬ 
thodists, a considerable number, especially in the two 
lower counties of Kent and Sussex. The Swedish chur(;h 
in Wilmington, is one of the oldest churches in the United 
States. 


GOVERNMENT. 

The constitution of this State delegates the legislative 
power to a General i\ssembly, consisting of a senate and 
a house of representatives; and the executive, to a go¬ 
vernor. All these are chosen by the people, on the first 
Tuesday in October—the governor for three years; but 
he is not eligible for the next three. 



OF- DELAWARE. 87 

The constitution was ratified on the 12th of June, 
1792. 


POPULATION, &c,. 

This State is divided into three counties, which are 
subdivided into hundreds. 

The number of .white inhabitants are upw'ards of sixty- 
six thousand, and about seven thousand slaves. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPPIY. 

MM^jYERS, customs, literature, Cfc, 

The people of this State are in general industrious and 
hospitable, they are less liable to the vice of gaming than 
the neighbouring states; there is no other peculiarity in 
their character whereby they can be designated different 
from those states already described. This State has 
made less progress in forwarding literary institutions 
than any of her neighbours; however, there are many 
good schools in it. 


CFIIEF TOWNS. 

Dover, in the county of Kent, is the seat of govern¬ 
ment.* It stands on Jones’ Creek, a few miles from De¬ 
laware river, and consists of about 100 houses, princi¬ 
pally of brick. The town has a lively appearance, and 
carries on a considerable trade with Philadelphia. Wheat 
is the principal article of export. The landing is five or 
six miles from the town of Dover. 

J\'’ewcastle is 35 miles below Philadelphia, on the v/est 
bank of Delaware river. It was first settled by the 
Swedes, about 1627, and called Stockholm. It was af¬ 
terwards taken by the Dutch, and called New Amster¬ 
dam. When it fell into the hands of the English, it 
was called by its present name. It was formerly the seat 
of government, and contains about 60 houses, which 



83 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


wear the aspect of decay. This is the first town that 
was settled on Delaware river. 

Wilmington is situated a mile and a half west of De¬ 
laware river, on Christiana Creek, 28 miles southward 
from Philadelphia. It is much the largest and pleasant¬ 
est town in the State, containing upwards of 400 houses 
which are handsomely built upon a gentle ascent of an 
eminence, and show to great advantage as you sail up the 
Delaware. It contains about 2400 inhabitants. Plere 
there is an academy of about 40 or 30 scholars, who 
are taught the languages, and some of the sciences. 
This academy was intended to be erected into a college. 
There is another academy at Newark, in this county, 

which was incorporated 1769.These academies were 

interrupted during the war, and their funds ruined by 
the depreciation of Continental paper money ; but the 
legislature, in the year 1796, passed an act to create a 
fund for the establishment of schools throughout the 
State. 

Milford is situated at the source of a small river, 15 
miles from Delaware Bay, and 150 southward of Phila¬ 
delphia. This town, which contains about 80 houses, 
has been built, except one house, since the revolution. 

Duck Creek Cross Roads is 12 miles northwest from 
Dover, and has 80 or 90 houses, which stand on one 
street. It carries on a considerable trade with Phila¬ 
delphia, and is one of the largest wheat markets in the 
btate, and merits a more dignified. 

Lewes is situated a few miles above the light-house, 
on Cape Henlopen. It contains about 150 houses. 

MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. 

Wheat, the staple commodity of this State, is manu¬ 
factured into flour and exported in large quantities. The 
exports from the port of Wilmington, where a number 
of square-rigged vessels are owned, for the year 1786, 
in the article of fiour, was 20,783 barrels superfine, 457 
ditto common, 256 ditto middlings, and 346 ditto in ship 
stuir. The manufacture of flour is carried to a higher 



OF DELAWARE. 


89 


degree of perfection in this State than in any other in 
the Union. Besides the well constructed mills on Red 
Clay and White Clay Creeks, and other streams in dif¬ 
ferent parts of the State, there are the celebrated col¬ 
lection of mills at Brandywine. Here are to be seen, at 
one view, 12 merchant mills (besides a saw mill) which 
have double that number of pairs of stones, all of supe¬ 
rior dimensions and excellent construction. These mills 
are three miles from the mouth of the creek on which 
they stand, half a mile from Wilmington, and 27 from 
Philadelphia, on the post road from the eastern to the 
southern States. They are called the Brandywine mills, 
from the stream on wliich they are erected. The quan¬ 
tity of wheat manufactured in these mills, annually, is 
not accurately ascertained. It is estimated, however, by 
the best informed on the subject, that these mills can 
grind 400,000 bushels in a year. But there are not com¬ 
monly more than from about 290 to 300,000 bushels of 
wheat and corn manufactured annually. These mills 
give employment to about 200 persons. 

The navigation quite to these mills is such, that a ves¬ 
sel carrying 1000 bushels of wheat, may be laid along 
side of any of these mills. The vessels are unloaded 
with astonishing expedition. There have been instances 
of 1000 bushels being carried to the height of four sto¬ 
ries in four hours. 

Besides the wheat and flour trade, this State exports 
lumber and various other articles. The amount of the 
exports for the year ending September 30th, 1791, was. 
129,840 dollars. It has since increased. 


90 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

As the climate and seasons of the middle states are 
nearly the same throughout, we shall first mention the 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL, AND 
AGRICULTURE. 

The state of Delaware, the upper parts of the county 
of Newcastle excepted, is, to speak generally, extremely 
low and level. Large quantities of stagnant water, at 
particular seasons of the year, overspreading a great 
proportion of the land, render it equally unfit, for the 
purposes of agriculture, and injurious to the health of 
the inhabitants. 

Delaware is chiefly an agricultural state. It includes 
a very fertile tract of country; and scarcely any part of 
the Union can be selected, better adapted to the different 
purposes of agriculture, or in which a greater variety of 
the iDost useful productions can be so conveniently and 
plentifully reared. The soil along the Delaware river, and 
from 8 to 10 miles into the interior of the country, is ge¬ 
nerally a rich clay, producing large timber, and well 
adapted to the various purposes of agriculture. P'rom 
thence to the interior and swamps, the soil is light, san¬ 
dy, and of an inferior quality. The general aspect of 
the country is very favourable for cultivation. F.xcept- 
ing some of the upper parts of the county of Newcastle 
the surface of the State is very little broken or irregular. 
Wheat is the staple of this State. It grows here in such 
perfection, as not only to be particularly sought by the 
manufacturers of flour throughout the Union, but also 
to be distinguished and preferred, for its superior quali¬ 
ties in foreign markets. This wheat possesses an un¬ 
common softness and whiteness, very favourable to the 
manufacture of superfine flour, and in other respects far 
exceeds the hard and flinty grains raised in general on 
the high lands. Besides wheat, this State generally 



OF DELAWARE. 


91 


produces plentiful crops of Indian corn, barley, rye, oats, 
flax, buckwheat, and potatoes. It abounds in natural 
and artificial meadows, containing a large variety of 
grasses. Hemp, cotton, and silk, if properly attended 
to, would doubtless flourish very well. 

RIVERS. 

The eastern side of the State is indented with a large 
number of creeks or small rivers, which generally have 
a short course, soft banks, numerous shoals, and are 
skirted with very extensive marshes, and empty into the 
river and bay of Delaware. In the southern and w^estern 
parts of this State, spring the head waters of Pocomoke, 
Wicomico, Nanticoke, Choptank, Chester, Sassafras, 
and Bohemia rivers, all falling into Chesapeak bay, and 
some of them are navigable 20 or 30 miles into the coun¬ 
try, for vessels of 50 or 60 tons burthen. 

Several canals in difterent parts of the State are con¬ 
templated, one of which is down the waters of the 
Brandywine. 

As this State does not materially differ from those 
already described, in Botany^ Zoology^ Mineralogy^ or 
JVatural Curiosities^ we shall conclude with observing, 
that in the county of Sussex, among the branches of 
the Nanticoke river, large quantities of bog iron ore are 
to be found. Before the revolution, this ore was worked 
to considerable extent; it was thought to be of good 
quality, and peculiarly adapted to the purposes of cast¬ 
ings. The works have mostly fallen to decay. 


92 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


NEW YORK. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

THIS State extends from 40i to 45 degrees of north 
latitude, and from five degrees west to three degrees of 
east longitude ; being 3o0 miles long and 300 broad, 
and contains 44,000 square miles. 

It is bounded southeastwardly, by the Atlantic Ocean; 
east, by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont; 
north, by the 45th degree of latitude, which divides it 
from Canada; northwestwardly, by the river Iroquois, 
or St. Lawrence, and the lakes Ontario and Erie ; south¬ 
west and south, by Pennsylvania and New-Jersey. 

EPOCHS. 

As early as the year 1608, Plenry Hudson, an Eng¬ 
lishman, in the Dutch service, discovered, and gave his 
, name to Hudson river. 

In four years afterwards, a company of Dutch mer¬ 
chants built a fort and trading house, where Albany now 
stands. 

In 1614, the Dutch on Hudson river submitted to the 
King of England. In 1664, Wauter Van Twiller ar¬ 
rived at fort Amsterdam, now New York, and took the 
government upon himself. 

In 1667, after many extravagant claims and some dis¬ 
putes, between the Dutch and English settlers, at the 
peace of Breda, N\ew York was confirmed to the Engish.. 

In 1673, the Dutch again got possession of N. York, 
by the treachery of an English Captain; but the year 
following, by a treaty of peace, between the English and 
Butch, signed at Westminster, it was restored to the 
English, in whose hands it remained till the revolution. 




OF NEW YORK. 


93 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION. 

The various religious denominations in this State are 
the following; English Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed, 
Babtists, Episcopalians, Friends or Quakers, German 
Lutherans, Moravians, Methodists, Roman Catholics, 
Jews, Shakers, and a few of the followers of Jemima 
Wilkinson. The Shakers are principally settled at New 
Lebanon, and the followers of Jemima Wilkinson at Ge¬ 
neva, about twelve miles S. W. of the Cayuga Lake. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The supreme legislative power of this State is vested 
in two branches, a senate and assembly: there are 24 
members of the senate, who are elected by the free¬ 
holders of the State,' who possess freehold estates to 
the value of one hundred pounds, clear of debts; the 
number of senators is limited to 100. 

The assembly of the State is composed of represent¬ 
atives from the several counties, chosen annually, in 
May. The number of assembly-men is limited to 300. 

It is requisite that every person voting for a repre¬ 
sentative in the assembly, should possess a freehold, to 
the value of twenty pounds, in the county where he is 
to give his vote. 

The supreme executive power of the State is vested 
in a governor, chosen once in three years, by the free¬ 
men of the State. The governor has not a seat in the 
legislature ; but as a member of the councils of revision 
and appointment, has a vast influence in the State. 

The council of revision is composed of the chancel¬ 
lor, judges of the supreme court, and the governor. 



94 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


POPULATION, DIVISION, Sec. 

The number of souls in this State, in 1800, was near 
600,000. It is divided into thirty counties, iuid each of 
them into townships. 

Their military strength, like the other states, consists 
in their militia, which in 1789, was 42,679; in 1790, 
44,259; in 1791, 50,399 ; and in 1800, between 60 and 
70,000; besides five or six thousand in the new settle¬ 
ments not organized. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

The revolution and its consequences have had a very 
perceptible infiuence in diffusing a spirit of liberality 
among the Dutch, and in dispelling the clouds of igno¬ 
rance and national prejudice. Schools, academies and 
colleges are established, and establishing, for the educa¬ 
tion of their children in the English and learned lan¬ 
guages and in the arts and sciences; and a literary and 
scientific spirit is evidently increasing. If such are the 
buddings of improvement in the dawn of our empire, 
what a rich harvest may we expect in its meridian? 

The city of New York is inhabited principally by mer¬ 
chants, physicians, lawyers, mechanics, shopkeepers, and 
tradesmen, composed of almost all nations and religions. 
They are generally respectable in their several profes¬ 
sions, and sustain the reputation of honest, punctual 
fair dealers. 

The manners and character of the inhabitants of every 
colony or state will take their colouring, in a greater or 
less degree, from the peculiar manners of the first set¬ 
tlers. It is much more natural for emigrants to adopt 
the custom of the original inhabitants, than the contrary; 
even though the emigrants should, in length of time, 
become the most numerous. Hence it is that the neat- 



OF NEW YORK. 


95 


ness, parsimony and industry of the Dutch were early 
imitated by the first English settlers in the province, and 
until the revolution, torm.d a distinguishing trait in 
their provincial character. It is still discernible, though 
in a much less degree, and will probably continue visi¬ 
ble for many years to come. 

LITERATURE, EDUCATION, 8cc. 

Until the year 1754 there was no college in the pro¬ 
vince of New York. 

King’s college, now called Columbia college, was 
founded in 1754. This college, by an act of the legis¬ 
lature, passed in the spring of 1787, was put under the 
care of twenty-four gentlemen, who are a body corpo¬ 
rate, by the name and style of “ The Trustees of Co¬ 
lumbia college, in the city of New York.” 

It is now in a thriving state, and has about 100 stu¬ 
dents in the four classes, besides medical students. The ' 
officers of instruction and immediate government, are a 
president, professor of mathematics and natural philoso¬ 
phy, a professor of logic and geography, and a profes¬ 
sor of languages. A complete medical school has been 
lately annexed to the college, and able professors appoint¬ 
ed, by the trustees, in every branch of that important 
science, who regularly teach their respective branches 
with reputation. 

Of the twelve incorporated academies, one is at Flat- 
bush, in King’s county, on Long Island, four miles from 
Rrooklyn Ferry. It is situated in a pleasant, healthy vil¬ 
lage. The building is large, handsome, and convenient, 
and is called Erasmus' HalL The academy is flourish¬ 
ing, under the care of a principal and other subordinate 
instructers. 

There is another at East Hampton, on the east end 
of Long Island, by the name of Clinton academy. The 
others are in different parts of the State. Besides these, 
there are schools established and maintained by the vo¬ 
luntary contributions of the parents. A spirit for lite¬ 
rary improvement is evidently diffusing its influence 
throughout the State. 


96 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


CITIES AND TOWNS. 

There are three incorporated cities in this State; J\^ew 
Yorkf Albany and Hudson, New York is the capital 
of the State, and stands on the south west point of Man¬ 
hattan, commonly called York Island, at the confluence 
of the Hudson and East rivers. The principal part of 
the city lies on the east side of the island, although the 
buildings extend from one river to the other. The length 
of the city on East river is about two miles; but falls 
much short of that distance on the banks of the Hudson. 
Its breadth, on an average, is nearly three-fourths of a 
mile; and its circumference may be four miles. 

The houses are generally built of brick, and the roofs 
tiled. There are remaining a few houses built after the 
old Dutch manner. 

The most magnificent edifice in this city is Federal 
Hall^ situated at the head of Broad street, where its front 
appears to great advantage. 

The other public buildings in the city, are three houses 
of public worship for the Dutch Reformed church— 
five Presbyterian churches—four Episcopal churches— 
two for German Lutherans and Calvinists—two Friends’ 
meeting houses—two for Baptists—two for Methodists 
—one for Moravians—one Roman Catholic church— 
one French Protestant church out of repair, and a Jews 
synagogue. Besides these, there is the Governor’s 
house, a splendid building—the college, gaol, a new and 
spacious prison, and several other buildings of less note. 
The city is accommodated with four markets in different 
parts, which are furnished with a great plenty and vari¬ 
ety of provisions, in neat and excellent order. 

This city is esteemed the most eligible situation for 
commerce in the United States. It almost necessarily 
commands the trade of one half of New Jersey, most of 
that of Connecticut, part of that of Massachusetts, and 
New Hampshire, and almost the whole of that of Ver¬ 
mont besides the whole fertile interior country, which is 
penetrated by one of the largest rivers in the United 
States. 


OF NEW YORK. 


97 


A want of good water has been a great inconvenience ' 
to the citizens; there being few wells in the city. Most 
of the people were supplied every day with fresh water 
conveyed to their doors in casks, from a pump near the 
head of Queen-street, which receives it from a spring 
almost a mile from the centre of the city. This well is 
about 20 feet deep, and 4 feet diameter. The average 
quantity drawn daily from this remarkable well, was 110 
hogsheads, of 130 gallons each. In some hot summer 
days, 216 hogsheads have been drawn from it; and 
what is very singular, there is never more or less than 
about three feet of water in the well. The water was 
sold commonly at three pence a hogshead, at the pump. 
The Manhattan company was incorporated in 1798, for 
the purpose of conveying good water into the city, and 
their works are now nearly or quite completed. 

In point of sociability and hospitality, New York is 
hardly exceeded by any town in the United States. 

On a general view of this city, as described thirty 
years ago, and in its present state, the comparison is flat¬ 
tering to the present age ; particularly the improvements 
in taste, elegance of manners, and that easy unaffected 
civility and politeness which form the happiness of social 
intercourse. 

The city of Mbariy is situated upon the west side of 
Hudson’s river, 16 U miles north of the city of New 
York, in latitude 42 degrees 36 minutes. It contained, 
in 1797, 864 dwelling-houses, built mostly by trading 
people, on the margin of the river, and in the old Dutch 
Gothic style, with the gable end to the street, which cus¬ 
tom the first settlers brought with them from Holland. 
Many new houses, however, have lately been built in this 
city, all in the modern style. In 1797, the number of in¬ 
habitants in this city, was 6021, collected from various 
parts. As great a variety of languages are spoken in Alba¬ 
ny, as in any town in the United States; but the English 
predominates, and the use of every other is constantly 
lessening. Adventurers, in pursuit of wealth, are led 
here by the advantages for trade which this place affords. 


vs 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


Albany is unrivalled in its situation. It stands on the 
bank of one of the finest rivers in the world, at the 
head of sloop navigation. It enjoys a salubrious air. 
It is the natural emporium of the increasing trade of a 
large extent of country west and north; a country of an 
excellent soil, abounding in every article for the West 
India market; plentifully watered with navigable lakes, 
creeks and rivers, as yet only partially peopled, but set¬ 
tling with almost unexampled rapidity; and capable of 
affording subsistence and affluence to millions of inhabi¬ 
tants. No part of America affords a more eligible open¬ 
ing for emigrants than this. And when the contem- 
]>lated locks and canals are completed, the bridge over 
the Mohawk river erected, and convenient roads opened 
into every part of the country, all which will, it is expect¬ 
ed, be accomplished in a few years, Albany will pro¬ 
bably increase beyond almost every other city or town 
in the United States. 

The public buildings are a Low Dutch church, two for 
Presbyterians, one for Germans or High Dutch, one for 
Episcopalians, one for Methodists, an hospital, the city 
hall, and a handsome brick jail. 

The city of Hudson has had the most rapid growth of 
any place in America, if we except Baltimore in Mary¬ 
land. It is situated on the east side of Hudson’s river, 
in latitude 42 degrees 23 minutes, and is 133 miles north 
of New York, and 30 miles south of Albany. It is sur¬ 
rounded by an extensive and fertile back country, and, 
in proportion to its size and population, carries on a large 
trade. 

Poughkeepsie^ the shire town of Dutchess county— 
jMnsinburghy formerly called the New City, on the east 
side of the Hudson, nine miles north of Albany— Kmg. 
ston, the county town of Ulster— Skenectady, sixteen 
miles northwest of Albany, on the banks of the Mohawk 
river— Troy, seven miles above Albany, a ffourishing 
town of about 200 houses—and Plattsburg, in Clinton 
county, situated on the west margin of Lake Champlaine, 
are all considerable towns. 


OF NEW YORK. 


99 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY, &c. 

The state, to speak generally, is intersected by ridges 
of mountains running in a northeast and southwest di¬ 
rection. Beyond the Allegany mountains, however, 
the country is a dead level; of a fine, rich soil, covered 
in its natural state, with maple, beech, birch, cherry, 
black walnut, locust, hickory, and some mulberry trees. 

The lands between the Seneca and Cayuga lakes, are 
represented as uncommonly excellent, being most agree¬ 
ably diversified with gentle risings, and timbered with 
lofty trees, and little underwood. 

East of the Allegany mountains, the country is broken 
into hills, with rich intervening vallies. The hills are 
clothed thick with timber, and, when cleared, afford fine 
pasture. The vallies, when cultivated, produce wheat, 
hemp, flax, peas, grass, oats, and Indian corn. 

Of the commodities produced from culture, wheat is 
the staple. Of this article, in wheat and flour, equiva¬ 
lent to one million bushels are yearly exported. Indian 
corn and peas are likewise raised for exportation; and 
rye, oats, barley. See. for home consumption. 

In some parts of the State large dairies are kept, which 
furnish the market with butter and cheese. The best lands 
in this State, which lie along the Mohawk river, north of 
it, and west of the Allegany mountains, are yet mostly 
in a state of nature, but are most rapidly settling. 

In the northern and unsettled parts of the State, are 
plenty of moose, deer, bears, some beavers, martins, and 
most other inhabitants of the forest, except wolves. Duck 
growse,.pigeons, also fish of many kinds, and particu¬ 
larly salmon, are taken in great abundance in different 
parts, and especially in the county of Clinton. At the 
.mouth of Saranac river, which falls into Champlaine, 



100 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


the salmon are found in such plenty, that it is usual to 
take four or five hundred in a day, with spears and small 
scoop-nets. They are caught from May till November, 
and make excellent salted provisions; and every cotta¬ 
ger, by spending an hour in the evening, may obtain a 
sufiicient supply for his family. 

RIVERS. 

Hudson’s river is one of the largest rivers in the U. 
States. It rises in the mountainous country between the 
lakes Ontario and Champlain. Its w'hole length is about 
250 miles. From Albany to lake George, is 65 miles. 
This distance, the river is navigable only for batteaux, 
and has two portages, occasioned by falls, of half a mile 
each. 'Fhe tide flows a few miles above Albany, which 
is 160 miles from New York. It is navigable for sloops 
of 80 tons to Albany, and for ships to Hudson. About 
60 miles above New York, the water becomes fresh. 
The river is stored with a variety of fish, which renders 
a summer’s passage to Albany delightful and amusing to 
those who are fond of angling. 

Saranac river passes through Plattsburgh into Lake 
Champlaine. 

Sable river not far from the Saranac, is scarcely 60 
yards wide. On this stream are remarkable falls. 

The river Boquet passes through the town of Willsbo- 
rough. At this place are the remains of an entrenchment 
thrown up by General Burgoyne. 

Black river rises in the high country, near the sources 
of Canada Creek, which falls into Mohawk river, and 
takes its course N. W. and then N. E. till it discharges 
itself into Cataraqua or Iroquois river. 

Onondaga river rises in the Oneida Lake, and runs 
westwardly into lake Ontario at Oswego. 

Mohawk river passes to the north-w^ard of Fort Stan- 
wix, and runs southwardly 20 miles, to the fort; then 
eastwardly 110 miles, into the Hudson. The produce 
that is conveyed down this river is landed in Skenectady, 


OF NEW YORK. 


101 


and thence carried by land sixteen miles, over a barren 
shrubby plain to Albany, through which a turnpike is 
contemplated. Since the completion of the locks and ca- ' 
nals at the Little Falls, 56 miles above Skenectady, the ri¬ 
ver is passable for boats from Skenectady, nearly or quite 
to its source. The perpendicular descent of these flills is 
42 feet, in the course of one mile. A canal and locks 
round these falls were completed in the autumn of 1795. 
In the Cohoez river is a great curiosity ; it is three 
miles from its entrance into the Hudson. The river 
is about 100 yards wide; the rock, over which it pours, 
as over a mill-dam, extends almost in a line from one side 
of the river to the other, and is about 30 feet perpendi¬ 
cular. Including the descent above, the fall is as much 
as 60 or 70 feet. 

Delaware river rises in Lake Utstayantho, latitude 42 
degrees 25 minutes, and takes its course southwest, until 
it crosses into Pennsylvania, in latitude 42 degrees; thence 
southwardly, dividing New York from Pennsylvania, un¬ 
til it strikes the northwest corner of New Jersey, in lati¬ 
tude 41 degrees 24 minutes, and then passes oft' to the 
sea: Delaware Bay having New Jersey on the east side, 
and Pennsylvania and Delaware on the west. 

Susquehanna E. Branch river has its source in Lake 
Otsego, latitude 42 degrees 55 minutes. Batteaux pass 
to its source ; thence to Mohawk river is but 20 miles, 
capable of good roads. 

Tyoga river rises in the Allegany mountains, in about 
latitude 42 degrees, runs westwardly, and empties into 
the Susquehanna at Tyoga point, in latitude 41 degrees 
57 minutes. It is boatable about 50 miles. 

Seneca river rises in the Seneca country, and runs 
eastwardly, and in its passage receives the waters of the 
Seneca and Cayuga lakes, and empties into the Ononda¬ 
ga river, 14 miles above the falls, at a place called Three 
Rivers. Within half a mile of Onondaga lake, a salt 
spring issues from the ground, the water of which is salt- 
er than that of the ocean. It constantly emits water m> 
sufficient quantities for works of any extent. It is proba- 

12 


102 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


blc the whole country will be supplied from this springs 
and at a very cheap rate. 

Genessee river rises near the source of the Tyoga and. 
empties into Lake Ontario, 80 miles east of Niagara Fort. 

The settlements made in this state, till within a few 
years, were chiefly upon two narrow oblongs, extending 
from the city of New York, east and north. The one 
east. Long island, which is 140 miles long, and narrow, 
and surrounded by the sea. The one extending north 
is about forty miles in breadth, and bisected by the Hud¬ 
son. The new settlements have been upon another ob¬ 
long extending west and southwest from Albany. Such 
is the intersection of the whole state by the branches of 
the Hudson, the Delaware, the Susquehanna, and other 
rivers which have been mentioned, that there are few 
places throughout its whole extent, that are more than 
15 or 20 miles from some boatable or navigable stream. 

BAYS AND LAKES. 

These are York Bay, which is nine miles long and 
four broad, spreads to the southward before the city of 
New York. South Bay, which lies 12 or 15 miles north 
of the northern bend in Hudson’s river. Oneida Lake, 
which lies about twenty miles west of fort Stanwix; Salt 
Lake; Lake Otsego, at the head of Susquehanna river; 
Caniaderago Lake, six miles west of it; and Chatoque 
Lake, the source of Conawongo river, which empties into 
the Allegany. 

ISLANDS. 

There are three islands of note belonging to this state 
Viz. York Island, Long Island, and Staten Island. 

, Long Island extends 140 miles east, and terminates 
with Montank Point. Is it not more than ten miles in 
breadth, on a medium, and is separated from Connecti¬ 
cut by Long Island Sound. The island is divided into 
three counties; King’s, Queen’s, and Suffolk. 

The south side of the island is flat land, of a light san- 
iy soil, bordered on tlte sea coast with large tracts .of 


OF NEW YORK. 


\0» 

salt meadow, extending from the west point of the island 
to Southampton. This soil, however, is well calculated 
for raising grain, especially Indian corn. The north 
side of the island is hilly, and of a strong soil; adapted to 
the culture of grain, hay and fruit. A ridge of hills ex¬ 
tends from Jamaica to Southhold. Large herds of cat¬ 
tle feed upon Hampstead plain, and on the salt marshes 
upon the south side of the island. 

The produce of the middle and western parts is car- 
..ried to New York. 

Staten Island lies nine miles southwest of the city of 
New York, and forms Richmond county. It is about 
eighteen miles* in length, and at a medium, six or seven 
in breadth, and contains 4563 inhabitants. On the south 
side is a considerable tract of level, good land; but the 
island in general is rough, and the hills high. 


OHIO. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

This State W'hich takes its name from a river of the 
same name, that runs south of it, together with the 
Indiana Territory, before the year 1803, w’ent under the 
general appellation of the North Western Territory; in 
1803, there being a competent number of inhabitants, 
and the people having formed a constitution were admit¬ 
ted into the Union. 

BOUNDARIES, &c. 

It lies west of Pennsylvania and between the Ohio river 
on the south, and the lakes Michigan and Erie on the 
North. 

.. It is bounded on the east by the northern part of the west 
line of Pennsylvania, south by the river Ohio, to the mouth 




104 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


of the great Miami; west by a line drawn due north from' 
the mouth of the last named river to the southern extre- . 


mity of lake Michigan; north by an east and west line 
drawn through the southern extremity of the lake last 
mentioned, from the intersection of the western boundary 
line till it meet the northern territorial line of the United 
States in Lake Erie, and following that line till it reaches 
the western line of Pennsylvania. It lies between the 
and 42“^^ degrees of North latitude, and between 5 
degrees 20 minutes and 4 degrees 36 minutes of west 
longitude from Philadelphia. 


HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

Before the year 1795 the inhabitants of this State could 
not be said to enjoy security to their persons or property, 
but in a continual alarm from their neighbours the Indians 
in that year a treaty was entered into between General 
Wayne on the part of the United States and the chiefs of 
several tribes of Indians; such as the Wyandots, Dela¬ 
wares, Shawanees, Ottowas, Chippawas, See. By the 
third Article of which the Indians ceded to the United 
States for a valuable consideration, vast quantities of ex¬ 
cellent land in that quarter, by which cession, both par¬ 
ties have received a mutual advantage; the frontier in¬ 
habitants now live in perfect security on their planta¬ 
tions; and besides 20,000 dollars worth of goods necessa¬ 
ry to the Indians, which was delivered to them at the time 
of making of this treaty, they still receive, and are hereafter 
to receive annually, goods to the amount of 10,000 Dollars* 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 
RELIGION. 

The religion of this State is like that of all the middle 
states, the inhabitants being mostly emigrants from^he 
neighbouring states, particularly Pennsylvania. 



OF OHIO. 


105 


GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The government of this State differs little from the 
government of the state of Pennsylvania. It consists in a 
governor, a senate and house of representatives. The 
governor is elected by the people and is chosen for two 
years—'Phe senators for the same period, and the repre¬ 
sentatives annually. 

One remarkable feature in the laws of this State is, that 
the people elect even their justices of the peace. 

POPULATION. 

The increase of population in this State is astonishing: 
in 1800 the number of inhabitants was 42,179. —It re¬ 
quired them to have a population of 60 thousand before 
they should apply for admission into the Union; we find 
in 1803 they were admitted as a state, and from every 
account their increase is much more in proportion since. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MyMYERS, CUSTOMS, LITERATURE, efc. 

There is no peculiar difference as yet in the manners 
and customs, language, and literature, or mode of education 
between the present inhabitants of this State and the 
neighbouring states, from whence the present inhabitants 
have emigrated—But it is expected that as soon as they 
become easy in circumstances, and their families increase 
several useful institutions will take place. 

CHIEF TOWNS. 

Marietta is the chief town of Washington County, 
Cincinnati of Hamilton, Massiesburgh of Adams, Steuben¬ 
ville of Jefferson, Chilicothe of Ross, Williamsburg of 
Clermont, Warren of Trumbul, Acw Lancaster of Fair- 
field, Pultney of Bellmont, Galliojiolis of Callia, Alexan¬ 
dria of Scioto, and Franklinton of Franklin—The chief 



106 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


towns of the other counties have not yet been laid out, 
or if they lately have, it is not yet come to our knowledge. 

MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. 

The infancy of this State affords but little to be said on « 
this subject; however, its near vicinity to the waters ofiJ 
the navigable Ohio, and its lands situated on its tribu-®^ 
tary rivers, and interspersed with every variety of soil, 
will most certainly lay a foundation for the wealth of an^n 
agricultural, manufacturing and commercial people. ^ 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. W 

CLIMATES AND SEASONS. 

This country, although under a latitude not it jre fa¬ 
vourable to a mild climate than our own, seems particu¬ 
larly favoured by Providence, for the moderation of its ifS 
winter colds and summer heats. In a work of this kind, 
it cannot be expected that the causes of this moderation M ^ 
could be fully discussed. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY. 

This country, for such an extent of territory cannot, 
perhaps, be equalled for its appearance, although still 
mostly in an uncultivated state. It cannot be said to be 
quite level, but it is as much so, as is supposed to be 
conducive to health, fertility, variety of productions and 
foreign intercourse. 


RIVERS. 

The Muskingum is a gentle river, confined by banks 
so high as to prevent its overflowing. It is 250 yards wide 
at its confluence with the Ohio, and navigable by large 
batteaux and barges to the Three Legs; and, by small 
ones, to the lake at its head. 

The Hockhocking resembles the Muskingum, though 
somewhat inferior in size. It is navigable for large boats 



OF OHIO. 




lor 


about 70 miles, and for small ones much further. On 
the banks of this very useful stream are found inexhaus¬ 
tible quarries of free stone, large beds of iron ore, and 
some rich mines of lead. Coal mines and salt springs 
are frequent in the neighbourhood of this stream, as they 
are in every part of the Western Territory. 

The Scioto is a larger river than any of the preceding, 
and opens a more extensive navigation. It is passable 
for large barges for 200 miles, with a portage of only 
four miles to the Sandusky, a good navigable stream that 
falls into lake Erie. The stream of the Scioto is gentle, 
no where broken by falls. At some places in the spring 
of the year, it overflows its banks, providing for large na¬ 
tural rice plantations. Salt springs, coal mines, white 
and blue clay, and free stone, abound in the country ad¬ 
joining this river. 

The Little Miami is too small for batteau navigation. 

The Great Miami has a very stony channel, and a 
swift stream, bnt no falls. It is formed of several large 
branches, which are passable for boats a great distance. 
It interlocks with the Scioto. 


BOTANY AND ZOOLOGY. 

The prevailing growth of timber, and the more useful 
trees are, maple or sugar tree, sycamore, black and white 
mulberry, black and white walnut, butternut, chesnut; 
white, black, Spanish and chesnut oaks, hickory, cherry, 
buckwood or horse chesnut, honey locust, elm, cucumber 
tree, lynn tree, gum tree, iron wood, ash, aspin, sassafras, 
crab apple tree, papaw or custard apple, a variety of plum 
trees, nine bark spice, and leather wood bushes. Gene¬ 
ral Parsons measured a black walnut tree near the Mus¬ 
kingum, whose circumference, at five feet from the 
ground, was 22 feet. A sycamore, near the same place, 
measured 44 feet in circumference, at some distance 
from the ground. White and black oak, and chesnut, 
with most of the above mentioned timbers, grow large 
and plenty upon the high grounds. Both the high and 


108 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


low lands produce vast quantities of natural grapes of va¬ 
rious kinds, of which the settlers universally make a suf¬ 
ficiency, for their own consumption, of rich red wine.... 
It is asserted, in the old settlement of St. Vincent, where 
they have had opportunity to try it, that age will render 
this wine preferable to most of the European wines. Cot¬ 
ton is the natural production of this country, and grows 
in great perfection. 

The sugar maple is a most valuable tree for an inland 
country. Any number of inhabitants may forever be 
supplied with a sufficiency of sugar, by preserving a few 
trees for the use of each family. A tree will yield about 
ten pounds of sugar a year, and the labour is very tri¬ 
fling. The sap is extracted in the months of February 
and March, and granulated by the simple operation of 
boiling, to a sugar equal in flavour and whiteness to the 
best Muscovada. 

Springs of excellent water abound in every part of this 
territory; and small and large streams, for mills and 
other purposes, are actually interspersed, as if by art, 
that there may be no deficiency in any of the convenie-n- 
cies of life. 


ANIMALS. 

No country is better stocked with wild game of every 
kind. Innumerable herds of deer and wild cattle are 
sheltered in the groves, and fed in the extensive bottoms 
that every where abound; an unquestionable proof of the 
great fertility of the soil. Turkies, geese, ducks, swans, 
teal, pheasants, partridges, &c. are, from observation, 
believed to be in greater plenty here, than the tame poul¬ 
try are in any part of the old settlements in America. 

The rivers are well stored with fish of various kinds, 
and many of them of an excellent quality. They are ge¬ 
nerally large, though of difi'erent sizes. The cat-fish, 
which is the largest, and of a delicious flavour, weighs 
from 6 to 80 pounds. 


OF OHIO. 


10? 


this Slate is not very accurately described in any former 
geography^ we are happy m having it in our power to 
insert the following brief account of part of that countrih 
which was handed us^ by a friend just arrived prom Chili- 
cot he. 

Crossing the Ilockhccking at new Lancaster towards 
Chilicothe, the country assumes a grand aspect; here 
are found, interspersed with woods, meadows abounding 
in natural grass and a variety of plants: but it is from 
Chilicothe in a direction westerly and northerly till you 
strike the waters of Mad river, and from thence in a 
southerly course to the confluence of this river with the 
Great Miami, that nature seems to have exhausted her 
efforts to constitute it at once the most delightful, the 
most healthy and the most fertile spot in this western 
world. The Great Miami which empties into the Ohio, 
about 50 miles from its confluence with Mad river is na¬ 
vigable for batteaux of a large size, and already has a 
boat 60 feet long proceeded up the latter river (which 
may be considered the principal branch of the Miami) to 
the forks or eastern branch; a navigation of about 25 
miles, already good, but capable of much improvement. 

Mad River takes its name from the nature of its 
stream which is very rapid, rising and falling but little 
at any season of the year. The waters flowing into it 
from its very source are derived from springs, which are 
never failing, and are perpetually clear and transparent, 
so much so, that the smallest speck on the bed of the ri- 
river is discernible at almost any depth. The eastern 
branch partakes of the same quality, as does another 
branch emptying into the eastern a few miles above the 
forks. These rivers abound with innumerable flsh of 
various species. It is needless to say the waters are 
salubrious, formed as they are from springs, arid in a 
perpetually rapid motion; flowing into these riveu’s are 
numerous springs, wdiich in every direction mute and 
form streams, tributary to the main branches. There 
are very few spots through a great exter.l of the country 

K 


MO 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


now described, where mills and distilleries might not be 
erected and sui5plicd with water at all seasons. 

The face of the Miami country in general and its soil, 
have universally been admitted as the most beautiful and 
rich of any on the western waters; and the eastern and 
northern parts now described, which include the flourish¬ 
ing town of Springfield, situated on the forks of Mad ri¬ 
ver, are decidedly the choicest of any within the whole 
district, whether it be considered in point of water, soil, 
beauty or health. I'he waters have already been men¬ 
tioned ; the soil is either a very deep, rich, black mould, or 
of qualities excellently calculated for the smaller grains 
of every kind, and for meadows. It abounds with hops, 
the plum, cherry, apple, raspberry, gooseberry, currant, 
grape, 5cc. See. and a variety of other fruits indigenous 
to the soil, and with timber common to the best lands, 
walnut, aslq locust, hickory, cherry, poplar, sugar and 
other maple, white oak, beech. See. ^c. 

It is impossible to describe the beauty of the face of 
the country, the natural meadows or praries, of various 
descriptions, are interspersed in the most picturesque 
manner with the woods; these praries varying with the 
nature of the soil, are covei’ed with plants and flowers of 
an astonishing height, most variegated and beautiful, 
many of which are medicinal; these give way to large 
plains of grasses, on which innumerable herds might 
graze during the summer, and subsist in the winter— 
they are capable of producing three crops annually. The 
woods in contrast sloping and rising, form a prospect 
inexpressibly interesting and pleasing, and from the un¬ 
dulations of the surface, which are neither too abrupt nor 
too level, a perpetual variety meets the eye, and no doubt 
tends to render the country eminently healthy. The ra¬ 
pidity of the waters, the numerous springs, the gradual 
slope of the country, all conspire to render this spot at 
once the healthiest and the most beautiful country, in its 
natural state, perhaps, in the universe. It abounds in 
game of almost every species, and animals valuable for 
their furs. 


OF OHIO 


in 


It is not to be wondered at, if a country so admirably 
adapted for settlements should, in the same proportion, 
become populous and important. A great number of 
mills are already erected, and several manufactories es¬ 
tablished in and about Springfield. Many have turned 
their attention to the raising of stock, for which this coun¬ 
try is c'minently calculated, as the ranges and luxuriance 
of the soil is inexhaustible ; others have turned tlieir at¬ 
tention to agriculture, and have from their industry reap¬ 
ed the most flattering products; 50 bushels of wheat, 
or 100 bushels of corn to an acre, is no uncommon crop. 
This country afibrds numerous quarries for every pur¬ 
pose of building: provisions of every kind are abundant 
for the supply of new settlers in the first instance, and 
to be procured on moderate terms. There are several 
stores in the town of Springfield besides distilleries, hat- 
factories and tanneries. The climate is mild, the sum¬ 
mer mild, and the winter short. Waggon roads in al¬ 
most every direction intersect this country: the Lime¬ 
stone, Chilicothe, Detroit and Cincinnati roads ail meet 
at Springfield, and as the settlements of towns multiply, 
which they have rapidly done within this short time, the 
facilities of intercourse will encrease, which already are 
equal to any State within the Union. 


Having given a brief description of what we have classed 
under the middle states^ our next shall be the northern 
or eastern states^ beginning with 

VERMONT. 

HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES. 

IT is 158 miles long and 70 broad; situated between 
latitudes 42 degrees 44 minutes and 45 degrees north ; 
and between 1 degree 35 minutes and 3 degrees 30 mi- 




HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


tiutes east longitude from Philadelphia. It is bounded on 
the north by lower Canada, on the east by Connecticut 
river, which divides it from New Hampshire, on the south 
by Massachusetts, and on the west by New York. 

PIISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

The tract of country called before the late war, 

was claimed both by New York and New Hampshire; 
and these interfering claims have been the occasion of 
much warm altercation, the particulars of which it would 
be neither entertaining nor useful to detail. They were 
not finally adjusted till since the peace. When hostili¬ 
ties commenced between Great Britain and her colonies, 
the inhabitants of this district, considering themselves as 
in a state of nature, and not within the jurisdiction either 
of New York or New Hampshire, associated and formed 
for themselves a constitution. Under this constitution, 
they have continued to exercise all the pow’ers of an in-, 
dependent state, and have prospered. On the fourth 
of March, 1791, agreeably to act of Congress of Decem¬ 
ber 6th, 1790, this State became one of the United States, 
and constitutes the fourteenth, and not the least respect¬ 
able Pillar in the American Union. 

Dr. Samuel Williams has written the history of this 
State, in one volume. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

POPULATION, RELIGION, &c. 

In 1790, according to the census then taken, this State 
contained 85,539 inhabitants, consisting chiefly of emi¬ 
grants from Connecticut and Massachusetts, and their de¬ 
scendants. For the numiber of inhabitants in 1800, see 
table. Two townships in Orange county are settled 
principaliy by Scotch people. The body of the people 
are Congregationalists. The other denominations are 
Presbyterians, Baptists, and Episcopalians. 



OF VERMONT 


113 


GOVERNMENT AND LAW?. 

The inhabitants of Vermont, by their representatives 
in convention, at Windsor, on the '25 th of December, 1777, 
declared that the territory called Vermont was, and of 
right ought to be, a free and independent state; and for 
the purpose of maintaining regular government in the 
same, they made a solemn declaration of their rights, 
and ratified a constitution, of which an abstract may be 
seen in the American Universal Geography. 

MILITARY STRENGTH. 

In 1796, there were upwards of 19,500 men upon the 
militia rolls of this State. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

The inhabitants of this State are an assemblage of peo- - 
pie from various places, of different sentiments, man¬ 
ners and habits. They have not lived together long 
enough to assimilate and form a general character. As¬ 
semble together, in imagination, a number of individuals 
of different nations—consider them as living together 
amicably, and assisting each other through the toils and 
difficulties of life; and yet rigorously opposed in particu¬ 
lar religious and political tenets; jealous of their rulers, 
and tenacious of their liberties; dispositions which ori¬ 
ginate naturally from the dread of experienced oppres¬ 
sion, and the habit of living under a free government—^ 
and you have a pretty just idea of the character of the 
people of Vermont. 

LITERATURE, &c.. 

Much cannot be said in favour of the present state of 
literature in this State: but their prospects in this regard 
are good. In every charter of a town, provision is made 
for schools, by reserving 350 acres of land for their sup- 

K2 



114 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


port. The assembly of this State, in their October ses¬ 
sion in 1791, passed an act for the establishment of a 
college in the town of Burlington, on lake Champlain, and 
appointed two trustees. 

CITIES AND TOWNS. 

Bennington^ situated near the southwest corner of the 
State, contains 2243 inhabitants, a number of handsome 
houses, a Congregational church, a court house, and goal. 
It is one of the oldest towns in the State, being first set¬ 
tled about the year 1764. It is a thriving town, and was 
formerly the seat of government. 

Windsor and Rutland^ by act of the legislature, are 
alternately to be the seat of government: the former 
is situated on Connecticut river, and contains about 2201 
inhabitants. Both are flourishing towns. 

J\''ewhury is the shire town of Orange county. It has 
a court-house, and a very elegant meeting-house for 
Congregationalists, with a steeple, the first erected in 
the State. The celebrated Coos meadows, of intervales 
commence about 9 miles below this town. Newbury 
court house stands on the high lands back from the river 
and commands a fine view of what is called the great 
Ox Bow^ which is formed by a curious bend in the river. 
It is one of the most beautiful and fertile meadows in 
New England. The circumference of this bow is about 
4A miles; its greatest depth is seven-eighths of a mile, 
containing 450 acres. In the season of the year when 
nature is dressed in her green attire, a view of this mea¬ 
dow from the high lands is truly luxuriant. 

MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE, 

The inhabitants of this State trade principally with Bos¬ 
ton, New York, and Hartford. The articles of export 
are pot and pearl ashes, chiefly; beef, horses, grain, some 
butter and cheese, lumber, Ixc. The inhabitants gene* 
rally manufacture their own clothing, in the family way. 

Vast quantities of pot and pearl ashes are made in eve¬ 
ry part of the State. But one of the most important 
manufactures in this State is that of maple sugar. 


OF VERMONT. 


15 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AND SEASONS. 

The climate of Vermont like that of the other New 
England states is very healthful. 

Winter commonly commences, in its severity, about 
the middle of December; sometimes earlier, and some¬ 
times not till Christmas. Cattle are fed or housed, in the 
northern p>arts of New England, from about the 20th of 
November, to the 20th of May; in the southern parts not 
quite so long. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY. 

This State, generally speaking, is hilly, but not rocky. 
West of the mountain, from the county of Rutland, north¬ 
ward to the Canada line, is a flat country, well adapted 
for tillage. The State at large is well watered, and aftbrds 
the best pasturage for cattle. Some of the finest beef 
cattle in the world are driven from this State. Horses 
are also raised for exportation. The natural growth 
upon the rivers, is white pines of several kinds, inter¬ 
mingled with low intervales of beech, elm, and white 
oak. Back from the rivers, the land is thickly timbered 
with birch, sugar-maple, ash, butternut, and white oak 
of an excellent quality. The soil is natural for wheat, 
rye, barley, oats, flax, hemp, &c. Indian corn, back 
from the river, is frequently injured by the frost; but on 
the river is raised in as great perfection as in any part of 
New England, owing in a great measure to the fogs aris¬ 
ing from the river, which either prevent or extract the 
frost. These fogs begin at the time the corn is in dan¬ 
ger from the frost, and last till cold weather commences. 
Fruit trees, in the northern counties, do not prosper. 

RIVERS AND LAKES. 

The principal rivers in this State are Missiscoui, La 
Moille, Onion, and Otter Creek rivers, which run from 


116 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


east to west, into Lake Champlain ; West, Sexton's, 
Black, Waterquechee, White, Ompompanoosuck, Welds 
Wait’s, Passumsick, and several smaller rivers, which 
run from west to east, into Connecticut river. Over the 
river La Moille is a natural stone bridge, 7 or 8 rods in 
length. Otter Creek is navigable for boats 50 miles. Its 
banks are excellent land, being annually overflowed and 
enriched. 

Memphremagog is the largest lake in this State. It is 
the reservoir of three considerable streams, Black, Bar¬ 
ton, and Clyde rivers. 

In some low lands, over against the great Ox Bow, a 
remarkable spring was discovered about 20 years since, 
which dries up once in two or three years, and bursts out 
in another place. It has a strong smell of sulphur, and 
throws up continually a peculiar kind of white sand. A 
thick yellow scum rises upon the water when settled. 
Ponds and other collections of water in this State are re¬ 
markably clear and transparent, and afford abundance of 
trout and perch. 

MOUNTAINS. 

The principal mountain in this State is the one we have 
already mentioned, which divides the State nearly in the 
centre, between Connecticut river and lake Champlaine. 
The ascent from the east to the top of this mountain is 
much easier than from the west, till you get to Onion ri¬ 
ver, where the mountain terminates. The height of land 
is generally from 20 to 30 miles from the river, and about 
the same distance from the New York line. The natural 
growth upon this mountain, is hemlock, pine, spruce, 
and other ever-greens; hence it has always a green ap¬ 
pearance, and on this account has obtained the descrip¬ 
tive name of Ver Mons, Green Mountain. 

NATURAL CURIOSITIES. 

In the township of Tinmouth, on the side of a small 
hill, is a very curious cave. The chasm, at its entrance, 
is about four feet in circumference. Entering this, yon 
descend 104 feet, and then opens a spacious room,.20 feet 


OF VERMONT. 


iir 


in breadth and 100 feet in length. The angle of descent 
is about 45 degrees; the roof of this cavern is of rock, 
through which the water is continually percolating. The 
stalactities which hang from the roof appear like icicles 
on the eves of houses, and are continually increasing in 
number and magnitude. The bottom and sides are daily 
incrusting with spar and other mineral substances. On 
the side of this subterraneous hall, are tables, chairs, 
benches, See. which appear to have been artificially carved. 
This richly ornamented room, v/hen illuminated with 
the candles of the guides, has an enchanting effect up¬ 
on the eye of the spectator. If we might be indulged 
in assigning the general cause of these astonishing ap¬ 
pearances, we should conclude, from the various cir¬ 
cumstances accompanying them, that they rise from wa¬ 
ter filtrating slowly through the incumbent strata^ and 
taking up in its passage a variety of mineral substances, 
and becoming thus saturated with metallic particles, gra¬ 
dually exuding on the surface of the caverns and fissures, 
in a quiescent state, the aqueous particles evaporate, and 
leave the mineral substances to unite according to their 
affinities. 


NEW HAMPSEIIRE. 

HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES. 

THIS State is 168 miles in length and from 90 to 
91 miles in breadth; lying between 42 degrees 40 min¬ 
utes and 45 degrees 30 minutes north latitude, and be¬ 
tween 2 degrees 41 minutes and 4 degrees 29 minutes 
cast longitude. 

It is bounded on the north by the province of Lower 
C'anada, east by the district of Maine and the Atlantic 




118 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


ocean; south by Massachusetts; west by the western 
bank of Connecticut river; containing 9491 square miles 
or 6,074,340 acres, of which at least 100,000 are water. 
The shape of New Hampshire resembles an open fan. 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

The first discovery made by the English of any part 
of New Hampshire, was in 1614, by Capt. John Smith, 
who ranged the shore from Penobscot to Cape Cod; and 
in this route discovered the river Piscataqua. On his 
return to England, he published a description of the 
country, with a map of the coast, which he presented to 
Prince Charles, who gave it the name of New England. 
The first settlement was made in 1623. 

New Elampshire Avas for many years under the juris¬ 
diction of the governor of Massachusetts, yet they had 
a separate legislature. They ever bore a proportionable 
share of the expenses and levies in all enterprizes, ex¬ 
peditions and military exertions, whether planned by the 
colony or the crown. In every stage of the opposition 
that was made to the encroachments of the British par¬ 
liament, the people, who ever had a high sense of liber¬ 
ty, cheerfully bore their part. At the commencement 
of hostilities, indeed, while their council was appointed 
by royal mandamus^ their patriotic ardour was checked 
by these crown officers. But when freed from this re¬ 
straint, they flew eagerly to the American standard, 
when the voice of their country declared for war; and 
their troops had a large share of the hazard and fatigue, 
as well as of the glory of accomplishing the late revolu¬ 
tion. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 
RELIGION. 

The principal denominations of Christians in this State, 
are Congregationalists, Presbyterians, PZpiscopalians,Bap- 


OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 


115 


tists and Quakers. There is a small society of Sande- 
maniiuis, and another of Universcdists, in Portsmouth. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The government and laws of New tiampshire are the 
same as those of Massachusetts, under which head, they 
shall be fully explained. 

POPULATION. 

The number of inhabitants in 1800, was near 190,000; 
4hey are in general a hardy, robust, active, brave people. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

As the manners and customs of all the New England 
states are pretty similar, its general character may with 
propriety suit for each of the Eastern states. 

New England, may, with propriety, be called a nur¬ 
sery of men, whence are annually transplanted, into 
other parts of the United States, thousands of its natives. 
Vast numbers of them, since the war, have emigrated 
into the northern parts of Ne w York, into Kentucky and 
the Western Territory, and into Georgia; and some 
are scattered into every state, and every town of note in 
the Union. 

The inhabitants of New England are almost univer¬ 
sally of English descent; and it is owing to this circum¬ 
stance, and to the the great and general attention that 
has been paid to education, that the English language 
has been preserved among them so free from corruption. 

In New England, learning is more generally diffused 
among all ranks of people than in any other part of the 
globe; arising from the excellent establishment of schools 
in almost every township and smaller district. 



120 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


In these schools, which are generally supported by a 
public tax, and under the direction of a school commit¬ 
tee, are taught the elements of reading, writing and 
arithmetic; and in the more wealthy towns, they are 
beginning to introduce the higher branches, viz. gram¬ 
mar, geography, &:c. 

A very valuable source of information to the people, 
is the Newspapers, of which not less than thirty thou¬ 
sand are printed every week, in New England, and cir¬ 
culate in almost every town and village in the country. 

A person of mature age, who cannot both read and 
write, is rarely to be found. By means of this general 
establishment of schools, the extensive circulating of 
newspapers, and the consequent spread of learning, 
every township throughout the country is furnished with 
men capable of conducting the affairs of their town with 
judgment and discretion. These men are the channels 
of political information to the lower class of people, if 
such a class may be said to exist in New England, where 
every man thinks himself at least as good as his neigh¬ 
bour, and believes that ail mankind ought to possess equal 
rights. 

LITERATURE, EDUCATION, &c. 

The only college in this State is in the township of 
Hanover, situated on a beautiful plain about half a mile 
east of Connecticut river, in latitude 43 degrees 35 mi¬ 
nutes. It was named Dartmouth College^ after the Right 
Honourable William Earl of Dartmouth^ who was one of 
its principal benefactors. It was founded by the late pi¬ 
ous and benevolent Dr. Eleazer Wheelock^ who, in 1796. 
obtained a royal charter, wherein ample privileges were 
granted, and suitable provision made for the education and 
instruction of youth of the Indian tribes, in reading, writ¬ 
ing, and all parts of learning, which should appear ne¬ 
cessary and expedient for civilizing and christianizing the 
children of Pagans, as well as in all the liberal arts and 
sciences, and also of English youths and any others. 
It is now one of the most growing seminaries in the 
United States. 


OF NSW HAMPSHIRE. 


121 


The funds of this college consist chiefly in lands, 
amounting to about 80,000 acres, v.hich are increasing 
in value, in proportion to the growth of the country. 

The number of under graduates, in 1790, was about 
150; they have since increased. A grammar school of 
about 50 or 60 scholars, is annexed to the college. 

The students are under the immediate government 
and instruction of a President, who is also professor of 
history; a professor of mathematics and natural philo¬ 
sophy, a professor of languages, and two tutors. 

There are a number of academies in this State: the 
principal of which is at Exeter, founded and endowed by 
the Hon. John Phillips, L. L. D. of Exeter, and incorpo¬ 
rated by act of assembly, 1781, by the name of “ Phillips' 
Exeter Academy.” It is a very respectable and useful 
institution, under the inspection of a board of trustees and 
the immediate government and instruction of a preceptor 
and an assistant. It has a fund of about 15,000/. One 
fifth of which is lands not yet productive. The present 
annual income is 480/. It has commonly from 60 to 80 
students. 

An academy at New Ipswich was incorporated in 1789; 
and has a fund of about 1000/. and generally from 40 to 
50 scholars. 

There is another academy at Atkinson, founded by 
the Hon. JVathaniel Peabody^ who has endowed it with 
a donation of 1000 acres of land. It w^as incorporated in 
1790. 

At Amherst, an academy was incorporated in 1791, 
by thenameof the Aurcan AcademyP Similar institutions 
are forming at Charlestown, Concord, and other places, 
which, with the peculiar attention which has lately been 
paid to schools, by the legislature, and the establishment 
of social libraries in several towns, afford a pleasing pros¬ 
pect of increase of literature and useful knowledge, in this 
State. 

;V'* 


L 



CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


ns 


CITIES AND TOWNS. 

rortsmonth is the largest town in this State. It is 
about two miles from the sea, on the south side of Pis- 
catacjua river. It contains about 640 dwelling houses, 
and nearly as many other buildings, besides those for 
public uses; which are three Congregational churches, one 
Episcopal, one Universalist, a state house, market-house, 
four school-houses, and a work-house. 

Its harbour is one of the best on the continent, having 
a sufficient depth of water for vessels of any burthen. 

Exeter is 15 miles SW. from Portsmouth, situated 
at the head of the navigation, upon Swamscut, or Exeter 
river. It is well situated for a manufacturing town, and 
has already a duck manufactory, in its infancy; six saw 
mills, a fulling mill, slitting mill, paper mill, snuff mill, 
two chocolate, and 10 grist mills, iron works, and two 
printing offices. The public buildings are two Congre¬ 
gational churches, an academy, a new and handsome 
court house and a jail. The public offices of the State are 
kept here. Formerly this town was famous for ship build¬ 
ing, but this business has not flourished since its inter¬ 
ruption by the war. 

Concord is a pleasant, flourishing inland town, situated 
on the west bank of Merrimack river, 54 miles WNW. 
from Portsmouth. The general court of late have com¬ 
monly held their sessions here; and from its central situa¬ 
tion, and a thriving back country, it will probably soon 
become the permanent seat of government. Much of 
the trade of the upper country centers in this town. 

Dover^ Amherst^ Keene^ Charlestown^ Plymouth.^ and 
Haverhill^ are the other most considerable towns in this 
State. 


MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. 

The inhabitants in the southw'estern quarter of this 
State generally carry their produce to Boston. In the 
middle and northern part, as far as the Lower Coos, 
they trade at Portsmouth. Above the Lower Coos, there 


OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 


123 


are yet no convenient roads directly to the sea-coast. 
The people on the upper branches of Saco river find 
their nearest market at Portland, in the District of Maine, 
and thither the inhabitants of Upper Coos have generally 
carried their produce: some have gone in the other di¬ 
rection to New York market. 

The people in the country generally manufacture their 
own clothing; and considerable quantities of tow cloth for 
exportation. The manufactures are pot and pearl ashes, 
maple sugar, bricks and pottery, and some iron, not 
sufficient, however, for home consumption, though it 
might be made an article of exportation. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATES AND SEASONS. 

The climate and seasons of this State being nearly 
the same as those of the other New England states, we 
wish no difference to be understood between them. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY. 

This State has but about 18 miles of sea coast, at its 
southeast corner. The only harbour for ships is the 
entrance of Piscataqua river, the shores of which are 
rocky. The shore is mostly a sandy beach, adjoining 
which are salt marshes, intersected by creeks. From 
the sea no remarkable high lands appear nearer than 20 
or 30 miles, then commences a mountainous country. 

The lands bordering on Connecticut river are inter¬ 
spersed with extensive meadows or intervales, rich and 
well watered. 

SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS. 

The productions of this State are various. The in¬ 
terval lands upon the margin of the large rivers are the 
most valuable, because they are overflowed and enriched 




124 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


eveiy year, by the water from the uplands, which brings 
a fat slime, or sediment. 

These interval lands are of various breadth, accord¬ 
ing to the near or remote situation of the hills. On 
Connecticut river, they are from a quarter of a mile to a 
mile and a half on each side; and it is observable, that 
they yield wheat in greater abundance and perfection than 
the same kind of soil, east of the high land. These 
lands, in every part of the State, yield all the other 
kinds of grain in the greatest perfection; but are not so 
good for pasture as the uplands of a proper quality. The 
wide spreading hills are generally much esteemed as 
W’arm and rich; rocky moist land is accounted good for 
pasture; drained sw^anps have a deep mellow soil; and 
the valiies between hills are generally very productive. 

Apples and pears are the most common, and the prin¬ 
cipal fruits cultivated in this State. No good husband¬ 
man thinks his farm complete without an orchard. 

Agriculture is the chief business of the inhabitants of 
this State. Beef, pork, mutton, poultry, wheat, rye, In¬ 
dian corn, barley, pulse, butter, cheese, flax, hemp, hops, 
excellent plants and roots, articles which wdll always find 
a market, may be produced in almost any quantity in 
New Hampshire. 

MOUNTAINS. 

The most noted mountains in this State are the White 
Mountains, one of which is called Mount Washington— 
Monadnock—Ossapy, and Mosehillock, which are all 
described in the American Universal Geography. 

RIVERS. 

Five of the largest streams in New England receive 
more or less of their w'aters from this State. These are, 
Connecticut, Ameriscoggin, Seco, Merrimack, and Pis- 
cataqua rivers. 

Connecticut river rises in the high lands which separate 
the United States from the British Province of Lower 
Canada. It has been surveyed about 25 miles beyond 


OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 


125 


the 45th degree of latitude, the head spring of its north- 
■western branch. It is settled all the way nearly to its 
source. Its general course is about SSW. It extends 
along the western side of New Flampshire about 170 
miles, and then passes into Massachusetts. Besides 
smaller streams, it receives from New Hampshire, Up¬ 
per Amonoosuck, Israel’s river, John’s river. Great or 
Lower Amonoosuck, Sugar, Cold and Ashuelot rivers. 

Connecticut river, in its course between New Hamp¬ 
shire and Vermont, has two considerable falls; the fii’st 
is called Fifteen Mile Fall, between Upper and Low¬ 
er Coos; the river is rapid for 20 miles. At Walpole 
is a second remarkable fall, formerly known by the name 
of the Great Fall, now denominated Bellows’ Falls. In 
1784, a bridge of timber was constructed over this fall, 
365 feet long, and supported in the middle by a great 
rock, under which the highest floods pass without detri¬ 
ment. Two bridges have since been erected over this 
river—one at Hanover, the other at Windsor. The 
former is about 30 rods in length, consisting of one arch 
of 230 feet chord—cost between 12 or 13,000 dollars; 
the latter, 521 feet in length exclusive of abutments— 
cost 20,000 dollars. 

This beautiful river, in its whole length, js lined on 
each side with a great number of the most flourishing 
and pleasant towns in the United States. In its whole 
course it preserves a distance of from 10 to 100 miles 
from the sea coast. 

Merrimack river is formed by the confluence of Pem- 
igewasset and Winnipiseogee rivers. After the Pemige- 
wasset receives the w'aters of Winnipiseogee, it takes 
the name of Merrimack; and, pursuing a course of 
about 90 miles, first in a southerly aial then in an easter¬ 
ly direction, passing over Hookset, Amoskeag, and Pan¬ 
tucket falls, it empties into the sea at Newbury port; From 
the W. it receives Blackwater, Contoocook, Piscata- 
quoag, Souhegan, Nashua and Concord rivers; From the 
east, Bowcook, Suncook Cohas, Beaver, ^picket and 
Fowow rivers. Contoocook heads near Monadnock, 

L 2 


126 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


mountain, is very rapid, and 10 or 12 miles from Its 
month is 100 yards wide. Just before its entrance into 
the Merrimack, it branches and forms a beautiful island 
of about 5 or 6 acres. This island is remarkable, as 
being’ the spot where a Mrs. Dustoii performed an ex¬ 
traordinary exploit. This woman had been taken by a 
party of Indians, from Haverhill in Massachusetts, and 
carried to this island. The Indians, 8 or 10 in number 
fatigued, and thinking themselves secure, fell asleep. 
She improved this opportunity to make her escape; and 
that she might effect it without danger of being pursued, 
she with one of their tomahawks killed them all, scalped 
them, took their canoe, and returned down the river to 
Haverhill, and carried the scalps to Boston, where she 
was generously rewarded. 

A bridge has lately been projected over Amoskeag 
fails, 556 feet in length, and 80 feet wide, supported by 
five piers. And, what is remarkable, this bridge was ren¬ 
dered passable for travellers in 57 days after it was be¬ 
gun. There are seven other bridges over the Merrimack 
—one at Newbury, tw^o at Haverhill, one at Andover one 
at Dracut, and two at Concord. 

The Piscataqua is the only large river whose whole 
course is in New Hampshire. From its form and the 
situation of its branches, it is extremely favourable to 
the purposes of navigation and commerce. The most 
respectable bridge in the United States, has been erected 
over this river, six miles above Portsmouth, 2600 feet in 
length. It cost 68,000 dollars. 

LAKES. 

Winnipiseogce Lake is the largest collection of water 
in New Hampshire. It is about 24 miles in length, 
from SE. to NW. and of very unequal breadth, from 
3 to 12 miles. It is full of islands, and is supplied wdth 
numerous rivulets from the surrounding mountains. 

This lake is frozen about 3 months in a year, and ma¬ 
ny sleighs and teams, from the circumjacent towns cross 
it 6n the ice. In summer it is navigable its whole length. 


OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. 


127 


The other considerable lakes, are Umbago^ (in the 
NE. corner of the State, and partly in the District of 
Maine) Sqiiam, Sunnapee and Great Ossapee. 

NATURAL CURIOSITIES. 

In the township of Chester is a circular eminence, half 
a mile in diameter, and 400 feet high, called Rattlesnake 
hill. On the south side, 10 yards from its base, is the 
entrance of a cave called the Devil's Den, in which is a 
room 15 or 20 feet square, and 4 feet high, floored and 
circled by a regular rock, from the upper part of which 
are dependent many excrescences, nearly in the -form 
and size of a pear, and, when approached by a torch, 
throw out a sparkling lustre of almost every hue. Many 
frightful stories have been told of this cave, by those who 
delight in the marvellous. It is a cold, dreary, gloomy 
place. 


DISTRICT OF MAINE. 

[belonging to MASSACHUSETTS.] 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTEXT AND BOUNDARIES, 

THIS district is 200 miles long and 200 broad; situated 
between 4 and 9 degrees east longitude and 43 and 48 
degrees north latitude. It is bounded on the north, by 
Lower Canada; from which it is separated by the high 
lands; east, by the river St. Croix, and a line drawn due 
north from its source to the said high lands, which di¬ 
vides it from the Province of New Brunswick; south, by 
the Atlantic ocean; and west, by New Hampshire. 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

The first attempt to settle this country was made in 
1607, on the west side of Kennebeck, near the sea. No 




128 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


permanent settlement, however, was at this time efTect- 
ecl. It does not appear that any further attempts were 
made, until between the years 1620 and 1630. 

The separation of this district from Massachusetts and 
its erection into an independent state, have been objects 
discussed by the inhabitants in town meetings, by the ap¬ 
pointment of the legislature. Such is the rapid settle¬ 
ment and growth of this country, that the period when 
this contemplated separation will take place is probably 
not far distant. 

For the best historical account of this district, see 
Judge Sullivan’s History, published by Thomas and An¬ 
drews, 1795. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPFIY. 

RELIGION. 

The prevailing religious denominations are, Congre- 
gationalists and Baptists; there are a few Episcopalians- 
and Roman Catholics. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The government and laws being the same as in Mas¬ 
sachusetts, to which this province belongs, need not be 
mentioned here. 

CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

There are no prevailing features in the character of 
the people of this district to distinguish them from their 
neighbours. Placed as they are, like them, a brave, har¬ 
dy, enterprizing, industrious, hospitable people. 

LITERATURE, 8cc. 

The legislature, by charter granted in 1795, establish¬ 
ed a college at Brunswick, by die name of Bowdoin Col- 



OF THE DISTRICT OF MAINE. 


129 


lege. It has since been organized, and put into opera¬ 
tion Sept. 1802. Academies in Hallowell, Berwick, 
Frybiirg and Macbias, have been incorporated by the le¬ 
gislature, and endowed with handsome grants of the pub¬ 
lic lands. Another at Portland has been instituted but 
not yet endowed. And it is but just to observe, that a 
spirit of improvement is increasing. 

CITIES AND TOWNS. 

Portland is the capital of the District of Maine. It 
is situated on a promontory in Casco Bay, and was for¬ 
merly a part of Falmouth. In July, 1786, this part of the 
town, being the most populous and mercantile, and situ¬ 
ated on the harbour, together with the islands belonging 
to Falmouth, was incorporated by the name of Portland. 
It has a most excellent, safe and capacious harbour, which 
is seldom or never completely frozen over. It is near 
the main ocean, and is easy of access. The inhabitants 
carry on a considerable foreign trade. It is one of the 
most thriving commercial towns in the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts. Although three-fourths of it was laid in 
ashes by the British fleet in 1775, it has since been en¬ 
tirely rebuilt; and contained in 1800, 3704 inhabitants. 
Among its public buildings are three churches, two for 
Congregationalists and one for Episcopalians, and a 
handsome court-house. 

York is 74 miles NE. from Boston, and nine from 
Portsmouth. York river, which is navigable for vessels 
of 250 tons, 6 or 7 miles from the sea, passes through 
the town. Over this river, about a mile from the sea, 
a wooden bridge was built in 1761, 270 feet long, exclu¬ 
sive of the wharves at each end, which reach to the 
channel, and are 25 feet wide. The bridge stands on thir¬ 
teen piers; and was planned and conducted by Major 
Samuel Sewall, an ingenious mechanic, and native of the 
town. The model of Charles river bridge was taken 
from this, and was built under the superintendance of 
the same gentleman. It has also served as the model of 
Malden and Beverly bridges, and has been imitated, 
even in Europe, by those ingenious American artists, 
Messrs. Coxe and Thompson. 


130 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


This town was settled as early as 1630, and was then 
called Agarnenticus, from a remarkable high hill'in it, 
of that name, a noted land-mark for mariners. 

Hallo%vel is a very nourishing town, situated at the head 
of the tide waters on Kennebeck river. Pownalborough, 
Penobscot and Machias are also towns of considerable 
and increasing importance. Jiangor^ situated at the 
head of the tide waters on Penobscot river, Kitlery^ 
Wells^ Berwick-^ Jsorth Yarmouth^ Bath and Waldoborough^ 
are the other most considerable towns. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATES, SEASONS, &c. 

In this district we shall class the climate and seasons, 
soil and face of the country under one head. 

The district of Maine may naturally be considered in 
three divisions.—The firsts comprehending the tract ly¬ 
ing east of Penobscot river, of about 4,500,000 acres; 
the second^ and best tract, of about 4,000,000 acres, lying 
between Penobscot and Kennebeck rivers: the thirds first 
settled, and most populous at present, west of Kennebeck 
river, containing also about 4,000,000 acres. 

The climate does not materially differ from the rest 
of New England. The weather is more regular in the 
winter, which usually lasts with severity from the mid¬ 
dle of December, to the last of March; during this time 
the ponds and fresh water rivers are passable on the icc 
and sleighing continues uninterrupted by thaws. 

The elevation of the lands in general; the purity of 
the air, which is rendered sweet and salubrious by the 
balsamic qualities of many,of,.the forest trees; the lim¬ 
pid streams, both large and small, which abundrmtly 
water this country; and the regularity of the weather, 
all unite to render this one of the healthiest countries in 
- the world. 



OF THE DISTRICT OF MAINE. 


151 


RIVERS. 

This district has a sea coast of about 240 miles, in 
■Nvhich distance, there is an abundance of safe and com¬ 
modious harbours; besides which there is a security- 
given to navigation on some part of the coast, by what 
is called the Inland Passage. Almost the whole coast 
is lined with islands, among which, vessels may gene¬ 
rally anchor with safety. 

The principal are the following, as you proceed from 
east to west; St. Croix, Passamaquoddy, Schoodiac, Uni¬ 
on, Penobscot, Kennebeck, Sheepscut, Ameriscoggin, 
(now most generally called Androscoggin) Stephen’s 
river, Cussen’s river, Royal’s river, Presumscut, None¬ 
such, Saco, and Mousom; also York and Cape Ned- 
dock rivers in the county of York, which are short and 
inconsiderable streams. 

The principal bays are Passamaquoddy, Machias, 
Penobscot, Casco and Wells. Of these, Penobscot and 
Casco are the most remarkable. Both are full of islands, 
some of which are large enough for townships. 

BOTANY. 

The soil of this country, in general, where it is pro¬ 
perly fitted to receive the seed, appears to be very friendly 
to the growth of wheat, rye, barley, oats, peas, hemp and 
flax; as well as for the production of almost all kinds of 
culinary roots and plants, and for English grass; and 
also for Indian corn, provided the seed be procured from 
a more northern climate. Hops are the spontaneous 
growth of the country. 

This country is equally good for grazing as for tillage, 
and large stocks of neat cattle may be fed, both summer 
and winter. 

The natural growth of this country consists of white 
pine and spruce trees in large quUntities, suitable for 
masts, boards and shingles; the white pine is, perhaps 
of all others, the most useful and important; no wood 
would supply its place in building. Maple, beech, white 
and grey oak, and yellow birch, are the growth of this 


132 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


country. The birch is a large sightly tree, and is used 
for cabinet work, and receives a polish little inferior to 
mahogany. The low lands produce fir. This tree is 
fit neither for, timber nor fuel; but it yields a balsam 
that is highly prized. This balsam is contained in small 
protuberances like blisters, under the smooth bark of the 
tree. The fir is an evergreen, resembling the spruce) 
but very tapering, and neither tall nor large. 

From the different rivers, in this eastern country, wa¬ 
ters may be drawn for mills and all water work.’ 

Great advantages arise to those who live on the sea- 
coast, from the shell-fish, viz. the lobster, the scollop, 
and the clam. To these advantages may be added those 
which arise from the forest being filled with the moose 
and deer, and the waters being covered with wild fowls 
of different kinds. 


MASSACHUSETTS. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTENT AND BO UNDARIES. 

This State in its greatest length, is 190 miles, and 
greatest breadth 90; is situated between 1 degree SO 
minutes and 5 degrees 11 minutes east longitude, and 
41 degrees 13 minutes and 42 degrees 52 minutes north 
latitude; being in extent 6250 square miles. 

It is bounded on the north, by Vermont and New 
Hampshire; on the east, by the Atlantic Ocean; on the 
south, by the Atlantic, Rhode Island and Connecticut; 
and on the west, by New York. 

For Historical Epochs of this State, see Hutchinson’s 
History of Massachusetts. 




133 


OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

1. In 1620 the first colony was planted in Massachu¬ 
setts, at a place now called Province Town. At landing^, 
the whole party consisted of but 101 persons. 

2. In 1624 the first cattle, consisting of three cows and 
a bull, were brought to the colony by the agent to the 
Plymouth company. 

3. In 1630 Salem, Dorchester, Charleston, and Bos¬ 
ton were founded. The same year 1500 persons, among 
whom were many of distinction, arrived and joined the 
colonists. 

4. In 1631 the first general court, for the regulation 
of the colony, was held. 

5. In 1638 there happened a very great earthquake 
throughout New England. 

6. In 1640 the importation of settlers ceased, at which 
time the number of passengers who had arrived, amount¬ 
ed to 21,200. 

7. In 1648 the first execution for witchcraft took place. 

8. In 1656 began the persecution of the Quakers. 

9. In 1675 happened the famous war between the set¬ 
tlers and Indians, commonly called Philip’s war, from 
Philip, the son of Masassoit, who was considered as the 
author of that contest. 

10. In 1721 the small pox was introduced into Boston. 

11. In 1725 a treaty was made with the Indians, and 
a long peace succeeded it. 

12. In 1745 Louisburg, a colony belonging to the 
French, was besieged and taken by the British colonists. 

13. In 1775 commenced the Avar with Great Britain, 
which tenninated with the independence of this country; 
in obtaining which, Massachusetts bore a very conspicu¬ 
ous part. 

M 


134 


rOLITICAL GEOGRAPHY 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 
RELIGION. 

The religion of this commonwealth is established, by 
their excelicnt constitution, on a most liberal and tole¬ 
rant plan. All persons of whatever religious profession 
or sentiment, may worship God agreeably to the dic¬ 
tates of their own conscience, unmolested, provided they 
do not disturb the peace. 

The following are the several religious denomina¬ 
tions in this State ;‘Congregationalists, llaptists, Episco¬ 
palians, Friends or Quakers, Presbyterians, Methodists, 
I'niversalists, and Roman Catholics. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The supreme executive authority is vested in a go¬ 
vernor; he must have been an inhabitant of the com¬ 
monwealth for seven years preceding the time of his 
election; must be in possession of a freehold in the State 
to the amount of one thousand pounds, and shall declare 
himself to be of the Christian religion: he is elected by 
the people annually, on the first Monday of April, in 
nearly the same way as the members of the two houses; 
he has a council, consisting of a lieutenant-governor and 
nine members, chosen from the senate by a joint ballot 
of the senators and representatives. The nine seats of 
the counsellors are vacated in the senate, and remain so 
for the year: so that the senate really consists of only 
thirty members. Besides the president, five counsellors 
make a quorum. With the advice of his council, the 
governor may convene the general court, and adjourn 
them at any time that the two houses shall desire: or, 
in consequence of their disagreement, as to the proper 
length of adjournment, he Jtiay, with the advice of his 
council prorogue them for any time not exceeding ninety 
days; he may, by and with the advice of his council, par- 



OF MASSxVCHUSETTS. 


135 


don offences after conviction, but not before it: if the 
prisoner has been convicted by an impeachment before 
the senate, he cannot grant a pardon. The governor is 
commander of all the military force oT the commonwealth. 
The officers are thus appointed: the soldiers of twenty- 
one years of age and upwards, in the respective compa¬ 
nies, choose their own captains and svibalterns; the cap¬ 
tains and subalterns elect the field officers of their own 
regiments, the brigadiers are elected by the held offi¬ 
cers; and when the election is finished, the officers re¬ 
ceive their commissions from the governor; the major 
generals are appointed by the senate and house of repre- , 
sentatives; each house having a negative upon the other. 

The lieutenant governor must be qualified in the same 
manner, and is to be elected at the same time, and iit 
the same v/ay as the governor: then he is by his office 
a member of the council, in absence of the governor he 
is president of the council, but in that capacity he has 
no vote as a counsellor. All judicial officers, the attor¬ 
ney general, the solicitor general, all sheriffs, coroners, 
and registers of probate, are appointed by the governor, 
by and with the consent of his council. Judicial officers, 
unless when there is a difierent provision made by the 
constitution, hold their offices during good behaviour; 
yet the governor, by the advice of his council, may re¬ 
move them, if he be addressed for that end, by both 
houses of the legislature. The commission of a justice 
of the peace, becomes void in the term of seven years 
from its date, that the people may not suifer from the 
long continuance in place of any magistrate, who shall fail 
in discharging the important duties of his office. 

POPULATION. 

The population of this State is estimated at between 
4 and 500,000, The counties of Essex, Suffolk, and 
Plampshire are the most populous divisions of the State. 
Essex has as many as 135 inhabitants for every square 
mile. 


136 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


MILITARY STRENGTH. 

The active militia of Massachusetts is composed of all 
able-bodied, white male citizens from 13 to 45 years of 
age, excepting officers of government, and those who 
have held commissions, &c. and such as did attain the 
age of 40 years before the 8th of May, 1793. The whole 
is completely armed and organized, and is formed into 
10 divisions, 22 brigades, consisting of 83 regiments of 
infantry, 52 troops composing 18 battalions of cavalry, 
and 49 companies of artillery; together forming a. well 
regulated body in 1802, of 4815 infantry, 2512 cavalry, 
and 2433 artillery men, with 60 field pieces. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

LITERATURE, See. 

According to the laws of this commonwealth, every 
town h.aving fifty householders or upwards, is to be pro¬ 
vided with one or more school-masters, to teach children 
and youth to read and write, and instruct them in the Eng¬ 
lish language, arithmetic, orthography and decent be¬ 
haviour; and where any town has 200 families, there is 
also to be a grammar school set up therein, and some 
discreet person, wxll instructed in the Latin, Greek and 
English languages, procured to keep the same, and be 
suitably paid by the inhabitants. The penalty for neg¬ 
lect of schools, in towns of 50 families, is 10/. —those 
of 100 families, 20/. —of 150, 30/. 

In Boston there are seven public schools, supported 
wholly at the expense of the town, and in which the chil¬ 
dren of every class of citizens freely associate. In the 
Latin grammar school, the rudiments of the Latin and 
Greek languages are taught, and boys are qualified for 
the universities; into this school none are admitted till ten 
years of age, having been previously well instructed in 
English grammar. In the three English grammar schools, 



OF MASSACHUSETTS. 


137 


the children of both sexes, from 7 to 14 years of age are 
instructed in spelling, accenting and reading the English 
language, both prose and verse, with propriety; aEo in 
English grammar and composition, together with the 
rudiments of geography; in the other three the same 
children are taught writing and arithmetic. The schools 
are attended alternately, and each of them is furnished 
with an usher or assistant. The masters of these schools 
have each a salary of CGG-| dollars per annum, payable 
quarterly. 

They are all under the immediate care of a committee 
of twenty-one gentlemen, for the time being, chosen an¬ 
nually, whose duty is “ to visit the schools at least once 
in three months; to examine the scholars in the various 
branches in which they are taught, to devise the best 
methods for the instruction and government of the schools, 
to give sucli advice to the masters as they shall think ex¬ 
pedient, and by all proper methods to excite in children 
a laudable ambition to excel in a virtuous, amiable deport¬ 
ment, and in every branch of useful knowledge.” At 
the annual visitation in July, 1795, there were present 
450 girls and 850 boys. Besides these there are se¬ 
veral private schools, for instruction in the English, La¬ 
tin and French languages—in writing, arithmetic and 
the higher branches of mathematics—and also in music 
and dancing. Perhaps there is not a town in the world, 
the youth of which more fully enjoy the benefits of school 
education than Boston. And when vre consider how in¬ 
separably the happiness and prosperity of our country, 
and the existence of our present happy governmeiit, are 
connected with the education of children, too much cre¬ 
dit cannot be given to the enlightened citizens of this 
tcn^n for the attention they hav^e paid to this importaiit 
business, and the worthy example they have exhibit«,d 
for the imitation of others. 

Next in importance to the grammar schools are the 
academies, in which, as well as in the grammar schools, 
young gentlemen are fitted for admission to the univer¬ 
sity. 

M 2 


138 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


Dumnier academy, at Newbury, was founded as early 
as 1756, by means of a liberal donation from the Honora- 
l/Ie Vv illiam Dummer, formerly lieutenant governor, and 
a worthy man, wliose name it has ever since retained. 
It was opened in 1763, and incorporated by an act of 
the geneial court, in 1782. This academy is at pre¬ 
sent in a nourishing state. 

Phillips’ academy, in Andover, was founded and hand¬ 
somely endowed, April 21, 1778, by the Honorable 
Samuel Phillips, Escp of x'^ndover, in the county of Es¬ 
sex, and commonwealth of Massachusetts, deceased, 
cind his brother, the Plonorable John Phillips, LLD. 
of Plxeter, in the state of New Hampshire. It was in¬ 
corporated October 4, 1780. It is under the direction 
of thirteen trustees, of respectable characters, and the 
immediate care of a principal, who is one of the trustees 
ex officio^ an assistant, and a wu’iting master. They are 
accommodated with a large and elegant building, erect¬ 
ed at the expense of the founders, and their brother, 
the Honorable William Phillips, Esq. of Boston. It is 
situated on a delightful eminence, near the mansion house 
of the Plonorable Samuf‘1 Phillips, Esq. its distinguished 
])atron, and son of the deceased founder—is encompass¬ 
ed with a salubrious air, ami coir;ma.nds an extensive pros¬ 
pect. The lower story contains a large school room, 
with ample accommodations for an hundred students, 
and two other apartments for a library, and other pur¬ 
poses; the upper story consists of a spacious hall, sixty- 
four feet in length, and thirty-three feet in breadth, de¬ 
signed for exhibitions and other public occasions. 

The design of this foundation, according to its con¬ 
stitution, is, The promotion of true piety and virtue, 
the instri.ction of youth, in the English, Latin, and 
Greek languages; together with writing, arithmetic, 
practical geomeiry, musick and oratory, logic and geo¬ 
graphy; and such other of the liberal arts and sciences, 
or languages, as opportunity and ability may hereafter 
.admit, and the trustees shall direct.” 

Leicester academy, in the to^vnship of Leicester, and 
county of orcesier, was incorporated in 1784. For 


OF MASSACHUSETTS. 


139 


the encouragement of this institution, Ebenezer Crafts 
and Jacob Davis, Esqrs. generously gave a large and 
commodious mansion house, lands aiid appurtenances, in 
Leicester. 

Bristol academy, at Taunton, was incorporated in 
1792. 

At Hingham is a well endowed school, which, in ho¬ 
nor of Its principal donor and founder, is called Derby 
school. 

Harvard university, in Cambridge, takes its date from 
the year 1638. This year the Rev. John Harvard, a 
worthy minister residing in Charlestown, died, and left 
a donation of 779/. for the use of the ’fore-mentioned pub¬ 
lic school. In honour to the memory of so liberal a be¬ 
nefactor, the general court, the same year, ordered that 
the school should take the name of Harvard college. It 
received its first charter in 1650. 

The university consists of four elegant brick edifices, 
handsomely enclosed. They stand on a beautiful green, 
which spreads to the north west, and exhibits a pleasing 
view. 

The names of the several buildings, are Harvard hall, 
Massachusetts hall, Hollis hall, and Holden chapel. Har¬ 
vard hall is divided into six apartments; one of which is 
appropriated for the library, one for the museum, two 
for the philosophical apparatus; one is used for a chapel 
and the other for a dining hall. J'he library, in 1791, 
contained 12,000 volumes; and will be continually in¬ 
creasing from the interest of permanent funds, as well 
as from casual benefactions. 1 he philosophical appara¬ 
tus, belonging to this university, cost between 14 and 
1500/. lawful money, and is the most elegant and com¬ 
plete of any in America. 

This university, as to its library, philosophical appa¬ 
ratus and professorships, is at present the first literary 
institution on this continent. 

In Williamstown, in Berkshire county, is another lite¬ 
rary institution. Col. Ephraim Williams laid the foun¬ 
dation of it by a handsome donation in lands. In 1790, 


140 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


partly by lottery, and partly by the liberal donation of 
gentlemen in the town, a brick edifice was erected, 82 
feet by 42, and four stories high, containing 24 rooms 
for students, a large school room, a dining hall, and a 
room for public speaking. It had a preceptor, an usher, 
and a master of the English school. The number of stu¬ 
dents, in 1792, was between 50 and 60, besides the scho¬ 
lars of the free school. This academy, in 1793, was 
erected into a college by the legislature of the common¬ 
wealth, by the name of Williams’ college, in honour of 
its liberal founder. The first public commencement was 
held at this college, in Sept. 1795. The languages and 
sciences usually taught in the American colleges, are 
taught here. Board, tuition and other expenses of edu¬ 
cation are very low; and from its situation and other 
circumstances, it is likely, in a short time, to become 
an institution of considerable utility and importance. 

CHIEF TOW^NS. 

Boston is the capital, not only of Massachusetts, but 
of New'-England, and lies in lat. 42 degrees 23 minutes 
N. It is built on a peninsula of an irregular form at the 
bottom of Massachusetts bay. The neck or isthmus 
which joins the peninsula to the continent is at the south 
end of the town, and leads to Roxbury. The length of the 
town itself is not quite two miles, Its breadth is various. 
It contained in 1790, 2376 dwelling-houses, and 18,038 
inhabitants; in 1800, 24,937 inhabitants. Since which, 
the number of both has greatly increased. 

In Boston, are 19 houses for public -worship; of which 
nine are for Congregationalists, three for Episcopalians, 
two for Baptists, one for the Friends, one for Universal- 
ists, one for Roifian Catholics, one for Sandimanians and 
one for Methodists. 

The other public buildings are, the state house, court 
house, goal, Faneuil hall, two theatres, an alms house, 
and powder magazine. On the -svest side of the town is 
the Mall, a very beautiful public ^Yalk, adorned with rows 
of trees, and in view of the common, which is always 
open to refreshing breezes. Bacon hill, on which a mo- 


OF MASSACHUSETTS. 


141 


nument, commemorative of some of the most important 
events of the late war, has lately been erected, overlooks 
the town from the west, and aflbrds a fine, variegated 
prospect. On the soutli side of this hill, a magnificent 
state house has lately been erected. 

The harbour of Boston is safe, and large enough to 
contain 500 ships at anchor, in a good depth of water; 
while the entrance is so narrow, as scarcely to admit 
two ships abreast. It is diversified with many islands, 
some of which afford rich pasturing, hay and grain. 

The principal manufactures here, are rum, beer, paper 
hangings, of 'which 24,000 pieces are annually made, 
loaf sugar, cordage, cards, sail cloth, spermaceti and 
tallow candles, and glass. There are 30 distilleries, 2 
brcAveries, 8 sugar houses, and 11 rope walks. 

Salem, the second town for size, and the oldest, ex¬ 
cept Plymouth, in the commonwealth, containing, in 1790, 
928 houses, and 7921 inhabitants, in 1800, 9457 inha¬ 
bitants, was settled in 1628, by governor Endicott, and 
was called by the Indians Naiimkeag. Here are a meet¬ 
ing of Quakers, an Episcopal church, and five Congre¬ 
gational societies. The town is situated on a peninsula, 
formed by two small inlets of the sea, called North and 
South rivers. A general plainness and neatness in dress, 
buildings and equipage, and a certain stillness and gra¬ 
vity of manners, perhaps in a degree peculiar to commer¬ 
cial people, distinguish them from the citizens of the me¬ 
tropolis. It is indeed to be wished, that the sober indus¬ 
try, here so universally practised, may become more ex¬ 
tensive tliroughout the union, and form the national cha¬ 
racter of Americans. 

Southeast from Salem, and at four miles distance from 
it, lies Marblehead, containing 5211 inhabitants, one 
Episcopal and two Congregadonal churches, besides a 
small society of Separatists. The chief attention of this 
town is devoted to the bank fishery, and more is done in 
that line than in any port in the state. 

J\''ewbu 7 'ij/iort, originally part of Newbury, from which 
its incorporation detached it in 1764, and by winch, and 


142 


I 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


Merrimack river it is wholly encircled, is perhaps the 
most limited in its extent of land, of any township in the 
commonwealth, containing but about 640 acres. Here 
are six houses for public worship, viz. one Episcopalian, 
three Presbyterian and two Congregational. In 1800, 
it had 5946 inhabitants. 

I^iswich^ by the Indians called Agawam, in the coun¬ 
ty of Essex, is 32 miles NNE. from Boston, is divided 
into four parishes, and contains 3305 inhabitants. The 
supreme judicial court, the courts of common pleas and 
sessions, are held here once in a year; and, from its cen¬ 
tral situation, appears to be the most convenient place 
for all the courts and public offices in the county. 

Charlestown^ called by the aboriginal inhabitants, and 
Mishawum, lies north of Boston, with which it is con¬ 
nected by Charles river bridge, and is the principal town 
in Middlesex county. It is very advantageously situ¬ 
ated for health, navigation, tra.de and manufactures of al¬ 
most all the various kinds. Bunker, Breed’s, and Cob¬ 
ble (now Barren’s) hills, are celebrated in the history of 
the American revolution ; and no less so for the elegant 
and delightful prospects which they alTord of Boston, 
and its charmingly variega.ted harbour—of Cambridge 
and its colleges, and of an extensive tract of highly cul¬ 
tivated country. '*Cne of the principal navy-yards of the 
United States is established in this town, in which a ma¬ 
rine hospital is about to be erected. In another part of 
Ihe town the State is erecting a penitentiary house, on a 
large scale. Charlestown, in 1800, contained 2751 in¬ 
habitants. 

Cambridge and Concord are the most considerable in¬ 
land towns in the county of Middlesex, the former is 2 
miles from Boston, and is a pleasant town, and the seat 
of the university. The latter is 18 miles NW. of Bos¬ 
ton, and is a pleasant, healthy, thriving town. The Pro¬ 
vincial Congress sat in Concord in 1774. This town is 
rendered famous, in history, by its being the place where 
the first opposition was made to the British troops, on 
the memorable 19th of April, 1775. 


OF MASSACHUSETTS. 


14, 


Plymouth^ the principal town in the county of the same 
name, and the capital of the Old Colony, so called, is 
42 miles SE. of Boston, and contains about 200 houses. 
This town is famous for being the first place settled by 
the ancestors of the New Englanders, 1620. 

IVorcester^ the shire town of the county of the same 
name, is the largest inland town in New-England, and is 
situated about 47 miles westward of Boston. 

On Connecticut river, in the county of Hampshire, 
there are a number of very pleasant towns, among which 
are Springfield and Hadley, on the east side of the river 
Northampton; Hatfield and Deerfield, on the west. 

MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. 

There was a duck manufactory at Boston, from which 
between 2000 and 3000 bolts, of 40 yards each, said to 
be the best duck ever before seen in America, were sold 
in one year. Manufactures of this kind have been begun 
in Salem, Haverhill and Springfield. Manufactories of 
cotton goods havelbeen patriotically attempted at Beverly, 
Worcester and Boston. A woollen manufactory on an 
extensive scale, has been established at Byefield parish 
in Newbury j but these efforts have generally been un¬ 
successful. At Taunton, Bridgewater, Middleborough, 
and some other places, nails have been made in such quan¬ 
tities as to prevent, in a great measure, the importation of 
them from Great Britain. In this State there are upwards 
of 20 paper mills, which produce more than 70,000 reams 
of paper annually. The principal card manufactories 
are in Boston and Cambridge, ia which are made, yearly, 
about 12,000 dozen of cotton and wool cards. Between 
2000 and 3000 dozen cards are made at the other manu¬ 
factories in different parts of the State. Shoes in large 
numbers are manufactured at Lynn—Silk and thread 
lacei woollen cloth. Sec. at Ipswich, which, from its natu¬ 
ral advantages, promises to become a manufacturing 
town—Wire for cards and fisii hooks at Dedham—and 
a dye-house has been builtin Charlestown, for the dying 
of silks, woollen cloths, 8cc. 


U4 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


There were, in 1792, 62 distilleries in this State, em¬ 
ployed in distilling from foreign materials. In these 
distilleries were 158 stills, which, together, contained 
102,173 gallons. Besides these there were twelve coun¬ 
try stills employed in distilling domestic materials. One 
million nine hundred thousand gallons have been distil¬ 
led in one year, which at a duty of eleven cents a gallon 
yields a revenue to the government of 209,000 dollars. 
A glass-house has been erected, at a great expense, in 
Boston, which promises important benefit to the country. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

The climate and seasons of all the JVew England state* 
are nearly the same, 

SOIL AND PRODUCTION. 

In IMassachusetts are to be found all the varieties of 
soil from very good to very bad, capable of yielding all 
the diflerent productions common to the climate, such 
as Indian corn, rye, wheat, barley, oats, hemp, flax, 
hops, potatoes, field beans and peas—apples, pears, 
peaches, plums, cherries, Sec. 

RIVERS. 

Housatonick river rises from several sources in the 
western part of this State, and flows southerly through 
Connecticut, into Long Island Sound. Deerfield river 
falls into Connecticut river, from the west, between Deer¬ 
field and Greenfield. A most excellent and beautiful 
tract of meadov/ lies on its banks. Vv estfield river emp¬ 
ties into the Connecticut at West Springfield. Connec¬ 
ticut river passes through tins State, and intersects the 
county of Hampshire. In its course it runs over falls, 
above Deerfieki, and between Northampton and Spring- 
field. A company, by tiie name of “ The Proprietors of 
the Locks and Canals on Connecticut river,” was incor- 



OF MASSACHUSETTS. 


145 


porated by the general court, in 1792, for the purpose of 
rendering Connecticut river passable for boats, and other 
things, from Chicapee river, northward, to New Hamp¬ 
shire. A part of this plan has been executed. Miller’s 
and Chicapee rivers fall into Connecticut on the east side ; 
the former at Northfield, the latter at Springfield. 

In the eastern part of the State is Merrimack river. 
It is navigable for vessels of burden about 20 miles from 
its mouth. There are 12 ferries across this river in the 
county of Essex. Over several of which, bridges have 
been erected. 

Nashua, Concord, and Shawsheen rivers rise in this 
State, and run a northeasterly course into the Merrimack. 
Ipswich and Chebacco rivers pass through the town of 
Ipswich into tne bay. Mystic river fails into Boston 
harbour, east of the peninsula of Charlestown. It is 
navigable three miles, to Medford. A canal is cutting 
to connect this with Merrimack river. 

Charles river is a considerable stream which passes 
into Boston harbour, between Charlestown and Boston. 
It is navigable for boats to Watertown, seven miles. 

Neponset river, after passing over falls sufficient to 
carry mills, unites with other small streams, and forms 
a very constant supply of water for the many mills situ¬ 
ated on the river below, until it meets the tide in Milton, 
from whence it is navigable for vessels of 150 tons bur¬ 
den to the bay, distant about four miles. 

North river runs in a serpentine course between Scitu- 
ate and Marshfield, and passes to the sea. Taunton ri¬ 
ver is made up of several streams which unite in or near 
the town of Bridgewater. Its course is from NE. to 
SW. till it fails into Narraganset bay at Tiverton, op¬ 
posite the north end of Rhode Island. It receives a 
considerable tributary stream at Taunton, from the 
northwest. 

CAPES, BAYS, ISLANDS, Sec. 

The capes of note, on the coast,of this State, are, cape 
Ann on the north side of Massachusetts bay, and cape 


146 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


Cod on the south. Cape Malabar on Sandy point, ex¬ 
tends 10 miles from Chatham towards Nantucket; cape 
Poj^e, the NE. point of Chabaquiddick; Gayhead, the 
west point of Martha’s vineyard. 

The principal bays on the coast of Massachusetts, are, 
Ipswich, Boston, Plymouth, cape Cod or Barnstable, and 
Buzzard’s bays. Many islands are scattered along the 
coast, the most noted of which are Plum island, which 
is about 9 miles in length, extending from Merrimack 
river on the north to the entrance of Ipswich river on 
the south, and is separated from the main land by a nar¬ 
row sound called Plum island river, fordable in several 
places at low water. It consists principally of sand 
blown into curious heaps, and crowned with bushes bear¬ 
ing the beach plum. 

Nantucket island lies south of cape Cod. It contains, 
according to Douglas, 23,000 acres, including the beach, 
'rhis island was granted to Thomas Mayhew, by the earl 
of Sterling, in the year 1641, and the settlement of it, 
by the English, commenced in 1659. As the island 
is low and sandy, it is calculated only for those people 
who are willing to depend almost entirely on the watery 
element for subsistence. The island of itself constitutes 
one county by the name of Nantucket. It has but one 
town called Sherburne, containing, in 1790, 4620 inhabit¬ 
ants; in 1800, 5617. 

The inhabitants formerly carried on the most consi¬ 
derable whale fishery on the coast, but the war almost 
ruined this business. They have since, however, revived 
it again, and pursue the whales even into the great Paci¬ 
fic ocean. 'Phere is not a single tree on the island of 
natural growtin 

The inhabitants of this island are principally Quakers; 
there is one society of Congregationalists. Forty years 
ago there were three congregations of Indians, each of 
which had a house for worship and a teacher. Their 
last Indian pastor die,d upwards of 20 years since, and 
was a worthy respectable character. 


OF MASSACHUSETTS. 


147 


Martha’s Vineyard, which lies a little to the westward 
of Nantucket, is 19 miles in length, and four in breadth. 
It contains three societies of Congregationalists, at Ed- 
garton, Tisbury and Chilmark, two of Baptists, without 
ministers, and three congregations of Indians, one of 
which is supplied by an ordained Indian minister, and to 
the others, the Rev. Mr. Mayhew preaches in rotation, 
and superintends the whole. This and the neighbouring 
island of Chabaquiddick, Noman’s land, and the Eliza¬ 
beth islands, constitute Duke’s county, containing, in 
1800, 3118 inhabitants, 820 of which w’^ere Indians and 
mulattoes, subsisting by agriculture and fishing. 

Edgarton, w'hich includes the fertile island of Chaba¬ 
quiddick, about three or four miles long, and one and a 
half broad, is the shire town. The principal productions 
of the island are corn, rye and oats. They raise sheep 
and cattle in considerable numbers. 

The other islands of consideration are in Massachu¬ 
setts bay, which is agreeably diversified by about 40 of 
various sizes. Of these about fifteen are of much im¬ 
portance. 

Castle island, now^ fort Independence, is three miles 
from Boston, and contains about 18 acres of land. It 
has been ceded to the United States, who, at great ex¬ 
pense have fortified it on a new plan. The w'orks were 
completed in the autumn of 1802, 

The botany^ zoology and mineralogy^ not differing from 
the Ne’iv England states^ ive think projier to omit* 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


I4S 


RHODE ISLAND 

AND 

PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTE.YT AND BOUNDARIES, 

THESE are in length 47 miles, and in breadth 37; 
situated between 3 degrees 11 minutes, and 4 degrees 
cast longitude, and between 41 degrees 22 minutes and 
42 degrees north latitude. They are bounded on the 
north and east by the commonwealth of Massachusetts; 
south by the Atlantic; and north by Connecticut. 

history. 

This State was first settled from Massachusetts. Mr. 
Roger Williams, a minister who came over to New Eng¬ 
land in 1631, was charged with holding a variety of er¬ 
rors, and was on that a.ccount forced to leave his house, 
land, wife and children, at Salem, in the dead of win¬ 
ter, and to seek a residence without the limits of Massa¬ 
chusetts ! Governor Winthrop advised him to pursue his 
course to Nehiganset, or Narraganset bay, which he did, 
and fixed himself at Secunk or Seekhonk, now Reho- 
both. But that place being within the bounds of Ply¬ 
mouth colony, governor Winslow, in a friendly manner, 
advised him to remove to the other side of the river, 
where the lands were not covered by any patent. Ac¬ 
cordingly, in 1636, Mr. Wdlliams and four others, cross¬ 
ed Seekhonk river, and landed among the Indians, by 
whom they were hospitably received, and thus laid the 
foundation of a town, which, from a sense of God’s mer¬ 
ciful providence to him, he called Providence. 




OF RHODE ISLAND. 


149 


Here he was soon after joined by a number of others, 
and though they were secured from the Indians by the 
terror of the English, yet they, for a considerable time, 
suffered much from fatigue and want; but they enjoyed 
liberty of conscience, which has ever since been inviola¬ 
bly maintained in this State. 

So little has the civil authority to do with religion here, 
that no contract between a minister and a society (unless 
incorporated for that purpose) is of any force. It is pro¬ 
bably for these reasons, that so many different sects have 
ever been found here; and that the Sabbath and all re¬ 
ligious institutions have been more neglected in this, 
than in any other of the New England states. 

Through the whole of the late war with Great Britain, 
the inhabitants of this State manifested a patriotic spirit; 
their troops behaved gallantly, and they are honoured in 
having produced the second General in the field. Gene¬ 
ral Greene. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION. 

The constitution of this State admits of no religious 
establishments, any further than depends upon the volun¬ 
tary choice of individuals. All men professing one Su¬ 
preme Being, are equally protected by the laws, and no 
particular sect can claim pre-eminence. This unlimited 
liberty in religion is one principal cause why there is 
such a variety of religious sects in Rhode Island. The 
Baptists are the most numerous of any denomination in 
the State. 

The other religious denominations in Rhode Island, 
are Congregationalists, Friends or Quakers, Episcopa¬ 
lians, Moravians and Jews. Besides these, there is a 
considerable number of people who can be reduced to 
ho particular denomination. 

N2 



150 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The constitution of this State is founded on the char¬ 
ter granted by Charles II, in 1663; and the frame of go¬ 
vernment was not essentially altered by the revolution. 
The legislature of the State consists of three branches— 
a senate or upper house, composed of ten members, be¬ 
sides the governor and deputy governor, called, in the 
charter, assistants—and a house of representatives, com¬ 
posed of deputies from the several towns. The members 
of the legislature are chosen twice a year; and there are 
two sessions of this body annually, viz. on the first Wed¬ 
nesday in May, and the last Wednesday in October. 

POPULATION. 

The number of inhabitants in these plantations at the 
last census, was found to be little short of seventy thou¬ 
sand. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

LITERATURE, See. 

The literature of this State is confined principally to 
the towns of Newport and Providence. There are men 
of learning and abilities scattered through other towns, 
but they are rare. The bulk of the inhabitants in other 
parts of the State are involved in greater ignorance, per¬ 
haps, than in most other parts of New England. 

At Providence is Rhode Island college. The charter 
for founding this seminary of learning was granted by 
the general assembly of the State, by the name of the 
“ Trustees and Fellows of the College or University, in 
the English colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plan¬ 
tations,” in 1764. The number of trustees is thirty-six, 
of whom twenty-two are of the denomination called Bap¬ 
tists, five of the denomination of Friends, five Episco¬ 
palians, and four Congregationalists. The same propor¬ 
tion of the different denominations to continue in perpe- 



OF RHODE ISLAND. 


151 


tiium. The president must be a Baptist; professors, and 
other officers of instruction, are not limited to any par¬ 
ticular denomination. 

This institution was first founded at Warren in the 
county of Bristol, and the first commencement held there 
in 1769. In the year 1770, the college was removed to 
Providence, where a large, elegant building was erected 
for its accommodation, by the generous donations of in¬ 
dividuals, mostly from the town of Providence. It is 
situated on a hill to the east of the town; and while its 
elevated situation renders it delightful, by commanding 
an extensive variegated prospect, it furnishes it with a 
pure, salubrious air. The edifice is of brick, four sto¬ 
ries high, 150 feet long, and 46 wide. 

This institution is under the instruction of a president, 
a professor of divinity, a professor of natural and experi¬ 
mental philosophy, a professor of mathematics and astro¬ 
nomy, a professor of natural history, and three tutors. 
The institution has a library of between two and three 
thousand volumes, and a valuable philosophical apparatus. 
Nearly all the funds of the college are at interest in the 
treasury of the State, and amount to almost two thousand 
pounds. 

'At Newport there is a flourishing academy, under the 
direction of a rector and tutors, who teach the learned 
languages, English gramm?.r, geography. See. 

CITIES AND TOWNS. 

J^envjiort and Providence are the two principal towns in 
the State. Newport lies in lat. 41 degrees 29 minutes 
Ion. 71 degrees 17 minutes. Its harbour, which is one 
of the finest in the world, spreads westward before the 
town. The entrance is easy and safe, and a large fleet 
may anchor in it, and ride in perfect security. The town 
lies north and south upon a gradual ascent as you pro¬ 
ceed eastward from the water, and exhibits a beautiful 
view from the harbour, and from the neighbouring hills 
which lie westward upon the main. 

Newport contains about 1000 houses, built chiefly of 
wood. It has 10 houses for public worship; 4 for Bap- 


152 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


lists, 2 for Congrcgationalists, 1 for Episcopalians, 1 for 
Quakers, 1 for Moravians, and a synagogue for the Jews. 
The other public buildings are a state house, and an edi¬ 
fice for the public library. 

Providence, situated in latitude 41 degrees 51 minutes, 
on both sides of Providence river, is 35 miles from the 
sea, and 30 N. by W. from Newport. It is the oldest 
town in the State. Roger Williams, and his company, 
were its first settlers, in 1636. 

The town is divided into two parts, by the river, and 
connected by the bridge already described. Ships of al¬ 
most any size sail up and down the channel. A ship of 
950 tons, for the East India trade, was lately built in this 
towm, and fitted for sea. In 1791, they had 129 sail of 
vessels, containing 11,942 tons. 

The public buildings are an elegant meeting house for 
Baptists, 80 feet square, Avith a lofty and beautiful stee¬ 
ple, and a large bell; a meeting house for Friends or Qua¬ 
kers; 3 for Congregationalists, two of them lately erect¬ 
ed, one of them very elegant; an Episcopal church, a 
handsome court house, 70 feet by 40, in which is depo¬ 
sited a library for the use of the town and country—a 
Avork house, a market house 80 feet long, and 40 feet 
wide, and a brick school house, in which 4 schools are 
kept. The college edifice we have already mentioned. 
The houses in the town are generally built of wood, though 
there «.re some brick buildings Avhich are large and ele¬ 
gant. This town has an extensive trade wdth Massachu¬ 
setts, Connecticut, and part of Vermont; and from its 
advantageous situation, promises to be among the largest 
towns in New-England. 

Bristol is a pleasant thriving town, about 16 miles north 
of Newport on the main. 

MANUFACTCRES AND COMMERCE. 

The inhabitants of this State are progressing rapidly 
in the manufacturing business. A cotton manufactory has 
been erected at Providence. Jeans, fustians, denims, 
thicksets, velvets, &;c. 8cc. are here manufactured and 
sent to the southern states. Large quantities of linen 


OF RHODE ISLAND. 


53 


and tow cloth are made in different parts of the State for 
exportation. But the most considerable manufacturesr in 
this State are those of iron; such as bar and sheet iron, 
steel, nail rods and nails, implements of husbandry, stoves, 
pots and other houshold utensils; the iron work of ship¬ 
ping, anchors, bells, &c. 

1 he exports from this State are flax-seed, lumber, 
horses, cattle, beef, pork, fish, poultry- onions, butter, 
cheese, barley, grain, spirits, cotton and linen goods. 
The imports consist of European and West India goods, 
and logwood from the bay of Honduras, Upwards of 
600 vessels enter and clear annually at the different ports 
in this State. The amount of exports from this State to 
foreign countries, for one year, ending the 30th of Sep¬ 
tember, 1791, was 470,131 dollars 9 cents; in the year 
ending September 30, 1793, 616,416 dollars: In 1799, 
1055, 273 dollars, and has encreased proportionally since. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AND SEASONS. 

Rhode Island is as healthful a country as any part of 
America. The winters, in the maritime parts of this 
State, are milder than in the inland country; the air be¬ 
ing softened by a sea vapour, which also enriches the 
soil* The summers are delightful, especially on Rhode 
Island, where the extreme heats, which prevail in other 
parts of America, are allayed by cool and refreshing 
breezes from the sea. , . 

SOIL AND AGRICULTURE. 

This State produces corn, rye, barley, oats, and in 
some parts wheat, sufficient for home sonsumption; and 
the various kinds of grasses, fruits and culinary roots and 
plants in great abundance, and in good perfection; cyder 
is made for exportation.—The northv. estern parts of the 
State are but thinly inhabited, and are more rocky and 



154 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


barren than the other parts. The tract of country lying 
between South Kingstown, and the Connecticut line, call¬ 
ed the Narraganset country, is excellent grazing land, 
and is inhabited by a number of industrious, wealthy far¬ 
mers, who raise some of the finest neat cattle in New 
England, weighing from 1,600 to 1,800 pounds. They 
keep large dairies, and make butter and cheese of the 
best quality, and in large quantities, for exportation. 

MOUNTAINS AND RIVERS. 

In the town of Bristol is iNTount Hope, or as some call 
it Mont Haup, which is remarkable only for its having 
been the seat of Jving Philip, aiid the place where he was 
killed. 

The great bridge, in the town of Providence, is 160 
feet long, and 22 feet wide, and unites the eastern and 
western phrts of the town. This is not a toil bridge. 
The ’ ridge over Patucket falls is a vrork of coniiderable 
magnitude, and muchbigelmity* Central and India bridges 
over Seekhonk river, neL> its mouth, east of Providence, 
built by Mr. John Brown, of Providence, are works of 
great expense and utility. A bridge over Howland’s fer¬ 
ry, uniting Rhode Island with Tiverton on the main, was 
completed in October, 1795; but was unfortunately car¬ 
ried away by a storm a short time after. 

BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, Sec. 

This State differs little from the neighbouring states, 
either in vegetable or animal productions, exceptin'^' the 
article fish, of which there are more than seventy differ¬ 
ent kinds, so that in the seasons of fish, the markets are 
alive with them. Travellers are agreed that Newport 
furnishes the best fish market in the world. 

NATURAL CURIOSITIES. 

About four miles northeast of Providence, lies a small 
village, called Patucket, a place of some trade, and fa¬ 
mous for lamprey eels. Through this village runs Pa¬ 
tucket river, which empties into Seekhonk river at this 


OF RHODE ISLAND. 155 

place. In this river is a beautiful fall of water, directly 
over which a bridge has been built, which diy’‘es the 
commonwealth of Massachusetts from the st?/'* Rhode 


Island, ‘i'he fall, in its whole length, is up' of 50 
feet. The water passes through f:.e''‘,ral c ns in a 
rock wliich runs diametrically across the of the 
stream, and serves as a dam to the Water. ‘ai mills 

have been erected upon these fails; and t' outs and 
channels which haye been con 'ructed to . nduct the 


streams to their'respective Wii >, and the bridge, have 
taken very much from the and grandeur of the 

scene, which would otherw* , been indescribably 

charming and »'omantic. 


CONNECTICUT. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTEjYT AA'-D BOUjYDJRIES. 

THE greatest length of this Sta^e is 100 miles, and its 
greatest breadth 72; it lies bet\»<'en 41 degrees and 42 
degrees 2 minutes north latitude, am' between 1 degree 
50 minutes and 3 deg. 20 min.east longitude: containing 
4674 square miles. It.is bounded on the liorth by Mas¬ 
sachusetts, cast by Rhode Isl^uid, south by the Sound, 
which divides it from Long Island, and west by the state 
of New York. 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

1. In 1630 the first grant of Connecticut was made 
by the Plymouth council to the Earl of Warwick, and 
confirmed by the king, in council, the same year. 

2. In 1634 a small number of men were sent over as 
a colony; they built a fort at Sayb ook, and held a treaty 
with the Pequot Indians. 



156 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


5. In 1636 the first court was held in Connecticut at 
Hartford. 

4. In 1643 articles of confederation between the four 
New England colonies, were unanimously adopted by 
the colonies of New Haven and Connecticut. 

5. In 1644 the Connecticut adventurers purchased of 
the agent for the proprietors, their right to the colony 
for 1600 pounds. 

6. In 1672 the laws of the colony were revised, and 
the general court ordered them to be printed. 

The people of this State were active and influential, 
both in the field and cabinet, in opposing the oppressive 
measures of Britain which brought about the revolution. 

After the establishment of peace in 1783, a number of 
gentlemen were appointed by the General Assembly to es¬ 
timate the damages done by the British troops, in the 
several towns which they ravaged. The following is the 
amount of the losses in the whole State, in money, va¬ 
lued as'in 1774, ;C294,235 16s Id. 

The foregoing estimate includes merchandize and pub¬ 
lic buildings. Exclusive of these, the losses are estima¬ 
ted at;>C 167,000. To compensate the sufferers, the Ge¬ 
neral Court, in May, 1792, granted them 500,000 acres 
of the western part of the reserved lands of Connecticut, 
which lie west of Pennsylvania. The remainder of this 
tract, of about three millions of acres, has been sold by 
the State, for 1,200,000 dollars. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION. 

The religion is such as is happily adapted to a republi¬ 
can government. As to the mode of exercising church 
government and discipline, it might not improperly be 
called a republican religion. Each church has a separate 


OF CONNECTICUT. 


157 


jurisdiction, and claims authority to choose their own 
minister, to exercise judgment, and to enjoy gospel or¬ 
dinances within itself. 

The churches, however, are not wholly independent of 
each other; they are in general consociated for mutual 
benefit and convenience. The associations have power 
to license candidates for the ministry, to consult for the 
general welfare, and to recommend measures to be adopt¬ 
ed by tile churches, but have no authority to enforce them. 
When disputes arise in churches, councils are called by 
the parties to settle them; but their power is only advi¬ 
sory. There are twelve associations in the State, and 
they meet twice in a year. These are all combined in 
one general association, who meet annually. 

All religions that are consistent with the peace of TjO- 
ciety, are tolerated in Connecticut; and a spirit of liber¬ 
ality and cathclocism is increasing. There arc very few 
religious sects in this State. The bulk of the people are 
Congregationalists. Besides these, there are Episcopa¬ 
lians and Baptists. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The constitution of Connecticut is founded on their 
charter, which was granted by Charles II, in 1662, and 
on a law of the State. Contented with this form of go¬ 
vernment, the people have not been disposed to run the 
hazard of framing anew constitution since the declaration 
of independence. 

Agreeably to this charter, the supreme legislative au¬ 
thority of this State is vested in a governor, deputy go¬ 
vernor, twelve assistants or counsellors, and the repre¬ 
sentatives of the people, styled the General Assembly. 
The governor, deputy governor and assistants are annu¬ 
ally chosen by the freemen in the month of May. The 
representatives (their number not to exceed two from each 
town) are chosen by the freemen twice a year, to attend 
the two annual sessions, on the second dhiesdays of May 
and October. By these laws the general assembly is di¬ 
vided into two branches, called the upper and lower hou- 

O 


158 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


ses. The upper house is composed of the g'overnor, de¬ 
puty governor and assistants. 'Phe lower house of the 
representatives of the people. No law can pass without 
the concurrence of both houses. 

PCPULATION. 

The number of inhabitants of this State is found to be 
upw^ards of 252,000, of whom about 1000 are slaves. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

The state of Connecticut is laid out in small farms, 
from fifty to three or four hundred acres ea.ch, which are 
held by the farii^ers in fee simple, and are generally well 
cultivated. The State is chequered with innumerable 
roads, or highw'ays, crossing each other in every direc¬ 
tion. A traveller in any of these roads, even in the most 
unsettled parts of the State, will seldom pass more than 
two or three miles without finding a house or cottage, 
and a farm under such improvements, as to afibrd the 
necessaries for the support of a family. The wdiole State 
resembles a well cultivated garden, which, with that de- 
g'ree of industry that is necessary to happiness, produces 
the necessaries and conveniences of life in great plenty^ 
The inhabitants are almost entirely of English descent. 
There are no Dutch or Germans, and very few French, 
Scotch or Irish people, in any part of the State. 

The poeple of Connecticut have heretofore been too 
fond of having all their disputes settled according to law. 
I'he prevalence of this litigious spirit afforded employ¬ 
ment and support Ibr a numerous body of lawyers. That 
pai ty spirit, however, which is the bane of political hap¬ 
piness, has never raged with such violence in this State, 
as in some others. Public proceedings have been con¬ 
ducted generally w'ith much calmness and candour. 'Fhe 
people are well informed in regard to their rights, and ju¬ 
dicious in the methods they adopt to secure them. 'I'he 



OF CONNECTICUT. 


159 


State enjoys a great share of political tranquillity ; and in 
no state do the inhabitants in general liv'c more peacea¬ 
bly as neighbours. 

LITERATURE AND EDUCATION: 

In no part of the world is the education of all ranks of 
people more attended to than in Connecticut. Almost 
every town in the State is divided into disti’icts, and each 
district has a public school kept in it, a greater or less 
part of every year. Somewhat more than one third of 
the monies arising from a tax on the polls and rateable 
estate of the inhabitants, is appropriated to the support 
of schools in the several towns, for the education of chil¬ 
dren and youth. The law directs that a grammar school 
shall be kept m every county town throughout the State- 

Academies have been established at Greenfield, Plain- 
field, Canterbury, Norwich, Windham, and Pomfrct, 
some of which are flourishing. 

Yale college was founded in 1700^ and remained at 
Killingworth until 1707; then at Saybrook until 1716, 
when it was removed and fixed at New Haven. Among 
its principal benefactors was governor Yale, in honour of 
whom, in 1718, it was named Yale college. The col¬ 
lege consists of three large buildings, of 100 feet by 40 
—one of which was built in 1750—one in 1793—the other 
in 1801—a college chapel, 50 feet by 40, with a steeple, 
and a dining hall, all of brick. 

The public library consists of about 2500 volumes; 
the philosophical apparatus, by a late handsome addition, 
is now as complete as most others in the United States; 
and contains the machines necessary for exhibiting ex¬ 
periments, in the whole course of experimental philoso¬ 
phy and astronomy. 

The first charter of incorporation w^as granted, by the 
general assembly of Connecticut, to eleven ministers, un-_ 
der the denomination of trustees, in 1701. By an act of 
the general assembly “ for enlarging the powers and in-s 
creasing the funds of Yale college,” passed in May, 1792, 
and accepted by the corporation, the governor, lieutenant 


160 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


governor, and the six senior assistants in the council of 
the State for the time being, are, ever hereafter, by vir¬ 
tue of their offices, to be trustees and fellows of the col¬ 
lege, in addition to the former corporation. The imme¬ 
diate executive government is in the hands of the presi¬ 
dent and tutors. The present officers and instructors of 
the college are, a president, who is also professor of ec¬ 
clesiastical history, a professor of divinity, a professor 
of natural philosophy and asti-onomy, and four tutors. 
The students are divided into four classes. The number 
in 1802 was 225, and is increasing. 

The funds of this college received a very liberal addi¬ 
tion by a grant of the general assembly in the act belore 
mentioned; which will enable the corporation to support 
several new professorships, and to make a handsome 
addition to the library. 

In May and September, annually, the several classes 
are critically examined in all their classical studies. A 
public commencement is held annually on the second 
Wednesday in September, which calls together a more 
numerous and brilliant assembly than is convened by any 
other anniversary in the State, the election excepted. 

CHIEF TOWNS. 

There is a great number of very pleasant towns, 
both maritime and inland, in Connecticut. It contains 
live cities, incorporated with extensive jurisdiction in ci¬ 
vil causes. Two of these, Hartford and New Haven, are 
capitals of the State. The general assembly is holden 
at the former in May, and at the latter in October, an¬ 
nually. 

Hartford is situated at the head of navigation, on the 
west side of Connecticut river, about fifty miles from its 
entrance into the Sound. Its buildings are, a state house, 
two churches for Congregationalists, and one for Episco¬ 
palians, besides about 500 dwelling houses, a number of 
which are handsomely built with brick. 

'Fhe toAvn is divided by a small river, with high ro¬ 
mantic banks. Over this river is a bridge connecting 


/ 


OF CONNECTICUT. 


161 


the two divisions of the town. Hartford is advantage¬ 
ously situated for trade, has a very fine back country, 
enters largely into the manufacturing business, and is a 
rich, flourishing, commercial city. A bank has lately 
been established here. 

JVew Haven lies round the head of a bay, which makes 
up about four miles, north from the Sound. It covers 
part of a large plain, which is circumscribed on three 
sides by high hills or mountains. Two small rivers 
bound the city east and west. It was originally laid out 
in squares of 5 1 rods. Many of these squares have been 
divided by cross streets. Four streets run northwest and 
southeast, these are crossed by four others at right an¬ 
gles. Near the centre of the city is the public square; 
on and around which arc the public buildings, which are, 
a state house, colleges and chapel, three churches for 
Congregationalists, and one for Episcopalians. These 
are all handsome and commodious buildings. The col¬ 
leges, chapel, state house, and one of the churches are 
of brick. The public square is encircled with a row of 
trees, which render it both convenient and delightful. 
Its beauty, however, is greatly diminished by the bu¬ 
rial ground, and several of the public buildings which 
occupy a considerable part of it. It contains about 600 
dwelling houses. 

J\''ew London (city) stands on the west side of the river 
Thames, near its entrance into the Sound, in latitude 41 
degrees 25 minutes. It has two places for public wor¬ 
ship, one for Episcopalians aiid one for Congregational¬ 
ists, and contains 5150 inhabitants. Its harbour is the 
best in Connecticut. A considerable part of the town- 
was burnt by the infamous Benedict Arnold in 1781. It 
has since been rebuilt. 

JVorwich (city) stands at the head of Thames river, 14 
miles north from New London. It is a commercial city, 
has a rich and extensive back country, and avails itself 
of its natural advantages at the head of navigation. Its 
situation upon a river, which aflbrds a great number of 

O 2 


162 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


convenient seats for mills and water machines of all kinds, 
renders it very eligible for manalkctures. 

The inhabitants are not neglectful of the advantages 
which nature has so liberally given them. They manu¬ 
facture paper of all kinds, stockings, clocks and watches, 
chaises, buttons, stone and earthen ware, wire, oil, cho¬ 
colate, bells,, anchors, and all kinds of forge work. The 
city contains a court house, two churches for Congrega- 
tioiuilists, and one for Episcopalians, and about 3476 in- 
habita.tts. 'j'he city is in three detached, compact di¬ 
visions, viz. Clielsea, at the landing, the town, and Bean 
hill; in the latter division is an academy ; and in the town 
is a school supported by a donation from Dr. Daniel La- 
throp, deceased. The courts of law are held alternately 
at New London and Norwich. 

Middleton (city) is pleasantly situated on the western 
bank of Connecticut river, fifteen miles south of Hartford. 
It is the principal town in Middlesex county—has 4900 
inhabitants, a court house, a naval office, one church for 
Congrcgationalists, and one for Episcopalians. 

Four miles south of Hartford is JVeathersJidd^ a very 
pleasant town of between tAvo and three hundred houses, 
situated on a fine soil, with an elegant brick church for 
Congrcgationalists. This town is r.oted for raising onions. 

Windsor^ Farmington^ Litchfield^ Milford^ Stratford, 
Fairfeld^ Guilford^ Stamford^ Windham^ Sufficld^ and En- 
fields are all considerable and pleasant towns. 

MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. 

The farmers and their families, in this State, are 
mostly clothed in plain, decent, homespun cloth. Their 
linens and woollens are manufactured in the family way; 
and although they are generally of a coarser kind, they 
are of a stronger texture, and much more durable than 
these imported from France and Great Britain. Many of 
their cloths are fine and handsome. 

In New Haven are cotton and button manufactories. 
In Hanford a woollen manufactory has been established ; 
likewise glass works, a snuff and powder mill, iron w'orks 


OF CONNECTICUT- 


165 


and a slitting mill. Iron works are established also at Sa¬ 
lisbury, Norwich, and other parts of the State. At Staf¬ 
ford is a furnace, at w'hich are made large quantities of 
hollow ware, and other ironiiiongery, sufiicient to supply 
the whole State. Paper is manufactured at Norwich, 
Hartford, New Haven, in Litchfield county, and in ma¬ 
ny other places. Ironmongery, hats, candles, leather, 
shoes and boots, are manufactured in this State. A duck 
manufactory has been established at Stratford. 

The trade of Connecticut is principally with the West 
India Islands, and is carried on in vessels from sixty to 
a hundred and forty tons. The exports consist of hor¬ 
ses, mules, oxen, oak staves, hoops, pine boards, oak 
plank, beans, Indian corn, fish, beef, pork. See. 

Connecticut has a large number of coasting vessels 
employed in carrying the produce of the State-to other 
states. To Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New 
Hampshire, they carry pork, wheat, corn and rye. To 
North and South Carolinas and Georgia, butter, cheese, 
salted beef, cyder, apples, potatoes, hay, See. and receive 
in return, rice, indigo and money. But as New York 
is nearer, and the State of the markets always well known 
much of the produce of Connecticut, especially of the 
western parts, is carried there ; particularly pot and pearl 
ashes, llax seed, beef, pork, cheese and butter in large 
quantities. Most of the produce of Connecticut river 
from the parts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and 
Vermont, as well as of Connecticut, which are adjacent, 
goes to the same market. Considerable quantities of the 
j)roduce of the eastern parts of the State are marketed at 
Boston, Norwich and Providence. 

This State owns and employs in the foreign and coast¬ 
ing trade, about 33,000 tons of shipping. 


164 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE; SOIL AND AGRICULTURE. 

Connecticut, though subject to the extremes of heat 
and cold, in their seasons, and to frequent sudden chan¬ 
ges, is very healthful. It is generally broken land, made 
up of mountains, hills and vallies, and is exceedingly 
well watered. Some small parts of it are thin and bar¬ 
ren. Its principal productions are Indian corn, rye, 
wheat in many parts of the State, oats, and barley, which 
are heavy and good, and of late, buck w'heat—flax in 
large quantities—some hemp, potatoes of several kinds, 
pompions, turnips, peas, beans. See. See. Fruits of all 
kinds which are common to the climate. The soil is ve¬ 
ry well calculated for pasturage and mowing, which ena¬ 
bles the farmers to feed large numbers of neat cattle and 
horses. 


RIVERS AND FIARBOURS. 

The principal rivers in this State are the Connecticut, 
Housatonick, the Thames, and their branches. The 
first soon after it enters the bounds of Connecticut, pas¬ 
ses over Enfield Falls. At Windsor, it receives Wind¬ 
sor ferry river, from the west, which is formed by the 
junction of Farmington and P oquabock rivers. At Hart¬ 
ford it meets the tide, and thence flows in a crooked 
channel, into Long Island Sound. It is from 8 to 100 
rods wide, 130 miles from its mouth. 

On this beautiful river, whose banks are settled al¬ 
most to its source, are many pleasant, neat, well built 
towns. It is navigable to Hartford, upwards of fifty miles 
from its mouth; and the produce of the country for 200 
miles above is brought thither in boats. 

The Housatonick rises in Berkshire county, in Massa¬ 
chusetts. It passes through a number of pleasant towns 



OF CONNECTICUT. 


165 


and empties into the Sound between Stratford and Mil¬ 
ford. It is navigable twelve miles to Derby. 

Naugatuk is a small river, and empties into the Hou- 
satonick at Derby. 

The Thames enters into Long Island Sound at New 
I.ondon. It is navigable fourteen miles to Norwich Land¬ 
ing. Here it loses its name, and branches into She- 
tucket, on the east, and Norwich or i Jttle river, on the 
west, "J'he city of Norwich stands on the tongue of land 
between these rivers. Little river, about a mile from 
its mouth, has a remarkable and very romaritic cataract. 
A rock ten or twelve feet in perpendicular height, extends 
quite across the channel of the river. Over this the whole 
river pitches, in one entire sheet upon a bed of rocks 
below. Here the river is compressed into a very nar- 
row' channel, between two craggy cliffs, one of which 
towers to a considerable height. The channel descends 
gradually, is very crooked, and covered with pointed 
rocks. Upon these the water swiftly tumbles, foaming 
with the most violent agitation, fifteen or twenty rods, 
into a broad bason which spreads before it. At the bot¬ 
tom of the perpendicular falls, the rocks are curiously 
excavated by the constant pouring of water. Some of 
the cavities, which are all of a circular form, are five or 
six feet deep. The smoothness of the water above its 
descent—the regularity and beauty of the perpendicular 
fall—the tremendous roughness of the other—and the 
craggy, towering clilf which impends over the whole, 
present to the vic'.v of the spectator, a scene indescriba¬ 
bly delightful and majestic. On this river are some of 
the finest mill-seats in New England; and those imme¬ 
diately below the falls, occupied by Lathrop’s mills are 
perhaps not exceeded by any in the wmrld. Across the 
moutli of this river is a broad, commodious bridge, in 
the form of a w'harf, built at a great expense. 

Shetucket river, the other branch of the lhames, four 
miles from its mouth, receives Quinnabaug, which has 
its source in Brimfield in Massachusetts. 


16$ ' _ HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 

Shetucket river is formed by the junction of ^Villa- 
mantic and Mount Hope rivers, v/hich unite between 
Windham and Lebanon. These rivers are fed by num¬ 
berless brooks from every part of the country. At the 
mouth of Shetucket is a bridge of timber, 124 feet in 
length, supported at each end by pillars, and held up in 
the middle by braces on the top, in the nature of an arch. 

Paukatuck river is an inconsiderable stream, which 
empties into Stonington harbour. It lorms part of the 
dividing line between Connecticut and Rhode Island. 

The two principal harbours are at New London and 
New Haven. 

The whole of the sea coast is indented with harbours, 
many of which are safe and commodious. 


SOUTHERN STATES 


THE third grand division of the United States, and 
much the largest, comprehends 


T ENNESSEE, 

South Carolina, 
Georgia, a 7 id 
Misissippi Territory, 


Maryland, 

Virginia, 

Kentucky, 


North Carolina, 


To which, has lately been added by a treaty with the 
French and Spanish nations, that vast territory known 
by the name of Louisiana. 

This extensive division, is bounded north by Pennsyl¬ 
vania and the Ohio river; west by the western boundary 
of Louisiana; south by East and West Florldas; and 
east by the Atlantic ocean and the Delaw'are state. 

This district of the Union contains upwards of one 
million nine hundred thousand inhabitants (without in« 



OF MARYLAND. 


167 


eluding* those of Louisiana) of whom 648,439 are slaves, 
which is thirteen fourteenths of the whole number of 
slaves in the United States. 



MARYLAND. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTRjXT AjYD boujvdaries, 

THIS State is 134 miles in length and 110 in breadth; 
Is situated between 37"^ 56' and S9^ 44' north latitude, 
and between 0^ and 4® 30' west longitude: and contains 
14,000 square miles, one fourth of which is water. 

It is bounded on the north by Pennsylvania; on the 
east by Delaware state and the Atlantic ocean; and 
south and west by Virginia. 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

1. In the year 1632 Maryland was granted by king 
Charles I, to George Calvert, baron of Baltimore, in 
Ireland. The government of the province was by char¬ 
ter vested in the proprietary. 

2. In the year 1689 the government was taken out of 
the hands of lord Baltimore, by the grand convention of 
England; and in 1692, Mr. Copely was appointed go¬ 
vernor, by commission from William and Mary. 

3. In 1692 the Protestant religion was established by 
law. 

4. In 1716 the government of this province was resto¬ 
red to the proprietary, and continued in his hands till the 
late revolution, when, though a minor, his properly in 
the lands was confiscated, and the government assumed 



168 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY 


by the freemen of the province, who, in 1776, formed 
the constitution now existing. At the close of the war, 
Henry Hartford, Esq. the natural son and heir of lord 
Baltimore, petitioned the legislature of Maryland for his 
estate ; but his petition was not granted. Mr. Hartford 
estimated his loss of quit-rents, valued at twenty years 
purchase, and including arrears, at ^259,488: 5s.—and 
the value of his manors and reserved lands, at ;C327,441. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION. 

The Roman Catholics, w'ho w’ere the first settlers in 
Maryland, are the most numerous religious sect. Be¬ 
sides these, there are Protestant Episcopalians, English, 
Scotch and Irish Presbyterians, German Calvinists, Ger¬ 
man Lutherans, Friends, Baptists, Methodists, Menno- 
nists, Nicolites or new Quakers; who all enjoy liberty 
of conscience. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The legislature is composed of tw'o distinct branches, 
a senate and house of delegates, and styled “ The Gene¬ 
ral Assembly of Maryland.” The house of delegates is 
composed of four members for each county, chosen an¬ 
nually tlie first Monday in October. U'he city of Anna¬ 
polis, and town oc Baltimore, send each two delegates. 

On the second Monday in November, annually, a go¬ 
vernor is appointed by tlie joint ballot of both houses. 
The goveri.or cannot continue in office longer than three 
years successively. 

POPULATION. 

The inliabitants of this State amount to 350,000, of 
whom upwards of 100,000 are slaves. 



OF MARYLAND. 


169 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

The inhabitants, except in the populous towns, live on 
their plantations, often several miles distant from each 
other. To an inhabitant of the middle, and especially of 
the eastern states, which are thickly peopled, they ap¬ 
pear to live very retired and unsocial lives. The ne£ 2 :roes 
perform all the manual labour. The inhabitants of the 
populous towns, and those from the country, who have 
intercourse with them, are, in their manners and cus¬ 
toms, genteel and agreeable. 

That pride wdiich grows on slavery, and is habitual to 
those, who, from their infancy, are taught to believe and 
to feel their superiority, is a visible characteristic of the 
inhabitants of Maryland. But with this characteristic 
we must not fail to connect that of hospitality to stran¬ 
gers, w'hich is equally universal and obvious. * Many of 
the women possess all the amiable, and many of the ele¬ 
gant accomplishments of their sex. 

The inhabitants are made up of various nations, of 
many different religious sentiments; few general obser¬ 
vations, therefore, of a characteristical kind, will apply. 
It may be said, however, with great truth, that they are 
in general very federal, and friends to good government. 
They owe little money as a State, and are willing and 
able to discharge their debts. Their credit is very good ; 
and although they have so great a proportion of slaves, 
yet a number of influential gentlemen have evinced their 
humanity and their disposition to abolish so'disreputable 
a traffic, by forming themselves into a society,for the 
abolition of negro slavery. 

LITERATURE, COLLEGES, &c. 

These are Washington academy, in Somerset county, 
which was instituted by law, in 1779. 

P 



170 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 


Wasbing’loTi college, instituted at Chestertown, in Kent 
county, in 1782. By a law enacted in 1787, a permanent 
fund was granted to this institution of 1250/. a year, cur¬ 
rency. 

St. John’s college was instituted in 1784. A perma¬ 
nent fund is assigned this college, of 1760/. a year. This 
college is to be at Annapolis, where a building is now 
prepared for it. Very liberal subscriptions were obtain¬ 
ed towards founding and carrying on these seminaries. 
The two colleges constitute one university, by the name 
of “ The University of Maryland,” whereof the gover¬ 
nor of the State, for the time being, is chancellor, and the 
principal of one of them vice chancellor. 

The Roman Catholics have also erected a college at 
Georgetown, on Potomak river, for the promotion of ge¬ 
neral literature. 

In 1785 the Methodists instituted a college at Abing- 
ton, in Harford county, by the name of Cokesbury col¬ 
lege, which was lately consumed by fire. 

CITIES AND TOWNS. 

Annapolis (city) is the capital of Maryland, and the 
wealthiest tov/n of its size in America. It is situated at 
the mouth of Severn river, on a healthy spot, 30 miles 
south of Baltimore. It is a place of little note in the 
commercial world. The houses, about 260 in number, 
are generally large and elegant, indicative of great wealth. 
The number of inhabitants does not exceed 2000. 

Baltimore has had the most rapid growth of any town 
on the continent, and is the fourth in size and the fifth 
in trade in the United States. It lies in lat. 39 degrees 
21 minutes on the north side of Patapsco river, around 
what is called the bason. The situation of the town is 
low, and was formerly unhealthy, but the increase of 
houses, and of course of smoke, the tendency of which 
is to destroy or to dispel damp and unwholesome vapours 
and the improvements that have been made, particularly 
that of paving the streets, have rendered it tolerably heal¬ 
thy. The number of houses in 1792, was about 2300. 


OF MARYLAND. 


71 


The number of inhabitants in the town and precincts, ac¬ 
cording to the census of 1790, was 13,503. In 1800, 
26,214. 

Georgeto^mi stands on the bank of the river Potomak, 
about 160 miles from its entrance into Chesapeak Bay. 
Dr. Martin concludes an account of the climate and dis¬ 
eases of this town in the following words: “Upon the 
whole, Georgetown and its vicinity may be considered 
as a healthy part of America: and in any disputes about 
the propriety of the seat of the general government be¬ 
ing fixed here, no objection can be urged against it on 
account of its diseases.” 

Fredericktown is a fine flourishing inland town, con¬ 
taining in 1797, 449 dwelling-houses, built principally of 
brick and stone, and mostly on one broad street, and 2600 
inhabitants. 

Hagersto%vji is but little inferior to Fredericktown, and 
is situated in the beautiful and well cultivated valley of 
Conegocheague, and carries on a considerable trade with 
the western country. 

Elkton is situated near the head of Chesapeak Bay, on 
a small river which bears the name of the town, it en¬ 
joys great advantages from the carrying trade, between 
Baltimore and Philadelphia. 

The city of Washington in the territory of Columbia, 
was ceded, by the States of Virginia and Maryland, to 
the IJnited States, and by them established as the seat 
of their government. This city stands at the junction of 
the rivers Potomak and the Eastern Branch, lat. 38 de¬ 
grees 53 minutes N. extending nearly four miles up each, 
and including a tract of territory, exceeded, in point of 
convenience, salubrity, and beauty, by none in America. 

The situation of this metropolis is upon the great post 
road, ecjui-distant from the northern and southern extre¬ 
mities of the Union, and nearly so from the Atlantic and 
Pittsburg, upon the best navigation, and in the midst of 
a commercial territory, probably the richest, and com¬ 
manding the most extensive internal resources of any in 
America. The public offices were removed to this city 


172 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


in the summer of 1800, and here in future Congress 
will hold their sessions. 

MANUFACTURES AND COMIVIERCE. 

The manufactures of this State have not as yet pro¬ 
gressed to such a degree, as to be worthy of our notice 
here. The trade ■' is principally carried on from Balti¬ 
more, witli the other states, with the West Indies, and 
with some parts of Europe. To these places they send 
annually about 30,000 hogsheads of tobacco, besides 
large quantities of wheat, flour, pig iron, lumber, and 
corn—beans, pork, and flax-seed in smaller quantities; 
and receive in return, clothing for themselves and ne¬ 
groes, and other dry goods; wines, spirits, sugars, and 
other West India commodities. The balance is gene¬ 
rally in their favour. 

The total amount of exports from Baltimore, from 
October 1, 1789, to September 30, 1790, was 2,027,777 
dollars, 64 cents.- 

Value of imports for the same time, 1,945,899 dollars, 
5 5 cents. 

Exports from October 1, 1798, to September 30, 1799, 
15,299,609 dollars. 

During the last mentioned period, the quantity of 

wheat exported was 205,571 bushels-Indian corn 

205,643 do.—buck-wheat 4286 do.—peas 10,619 do. be¬ 
sides 151,445 barrels of wheat flour—4325 do. Indian 
meal—6761 do. bread, and 3104 kegs of crackers. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE, SEASONS, &c. 

The ground is uniformly level and low in most of the 
counties on the eastern shore, and consequently cover¬ 
ed, in many places, with stagnant water, except where it 
is intersected by numerous creeks. Here also are large 




OF MARYLAND. 


175 

tracts of marsh, which, during the day, load the atmos¬ 
phere with vapour, that falls in dew, in the close of the 
summer and fall seasons, which are sickly. The spring 
and summer are most healthy. 

SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS. 

Wheat and tobacco are the staple commodities. To¬ 
bacco is generally cultivated in sets, by negroes, in the 
following manner: The seed is sown in beds of fine 
mould, and transplanted the beginning of May. The 
plants are set at the distance of three or four feet from 
each other, and are hilled and kept continually free of 
weeds. When as many leaves have shot out as the soil 
will nourish to advantage, the top of the plant is broken 
off', which prevents its growing higher. It is carefully 
kept clear of worms, and the suckers, which put out be¬ 
tween the leaves, are taken off* at proper times, till the 
plant arrives at perfection, which is in August. When 
the leaves turn of a brownish colour, and begin to be 
spotted, the plant is cut down and hung up to dry, after 
having sweated in heaps one night. When it can be 
handled without crumbling, which is always in moist 
weather, the leaves are stripped from the stalk, and tied 
in bundles, and packed for exportation in hogsheads, con¬ 
taining 800 or 900 pounds. No suckers nor round leaves 
are allowed to be merchantable. An industrious person 
may manage 6000 plants of tobacco (which yield lOOOlb.) 
and four acres of Indian corn. 

In the interior country, on the uplands, considerable 
quantities of hemp and flax are raised. 

BAYS AND RIVERS. 

Chesapeak bay divides this State into eastern and 
western divisions. This bay is the largest in the United 
States. From the eastern shore in Maryland, among 
other smaller ones, it receives Pokomoke, Nanticoke, 
Choptank, Chester, and Elk rivers. From the north, 
the rapid Susquehanna; and from the west, Patapsco, 
Severn, Patuxent, and Potomak, half of whicii is in Ma¬ 
ryland, and half in Virginia. Except the Susquehanna 
and Potomak, these are small rivers. 

P 2 


174 , 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


VIRGINIA. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTEJVT AND BOUNDARIES, 

THIS State is 446 miles long and 224 broad; is situ¬ 
ated between 0® and S'" west longitude, and between 36*=^ 
30’ and 40® 30’ north latitude; containing 70,000 square 
miles. It is bounded on the north by Maryland, part of 
Pennsylvania, and the Ohio river; w'est by Kentucky; 
south by North Carolina; and east by the Atlantic ocean. 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

The first settlement of Virginia may be dated at the 
arrival of Lord Delaware in 1610. His arrival with a 
fresh supply of settlers and provisions revived the droop¬ 
ing spirits of the former company, and gave permanency 
and respectability to the settlement. 

In April, 1613, Mr. John Rolf, a worthy young gen¬ 
tleman, was married to Pocahontos, the daughter of 
Powhatan, the famous Indian chief. This connexion, 
which was very agreeable both to the English and Indians, 
was the foundation of a friendly and advantageous com¬ 
merce between them. 

In 1616, Mr. Rolf, with his wife Pocahontas, visited 
England, where she was treated with that attention and 
respect which she had merited by her important services 
to the colony of Virginia. She died the year following 
at Gravesend, in the 22d year of her age, just as she 
was about to embark for America. She had embraced 
the Christian religion; and in her life and death evidenced 
the sincerity of her profession. She left a little son, who, 
having received his education in England, came over to 
Virginia, where he lived and died in affluence and hon- 




OF VIRGINIA. 


175 


our, leaving behind him an only daughter. Her descen¬ 
dants are among the most respectable families in Virginia. 

Tomocomo, a sensible Indian, brother-in-law to Poca¬ 
hontas, accompanied her to England, and was directed 
by Powhatan to bring him an exact account of the num¬ 
bers and strength of the English. For this purpose, when 
he arrived at Plymouth, he took a long stick, intending 
to cut a notch in it for every person he should see. This 
he soon found impracticable, and threw away his stick. 
On his return, being asked by Powhatan, how many peo¬ 
ple there were, he is said to have replied, “ Count the 
stars in the sky, the leaves on the trees, and the sands 
on the sea-shore; for such is the number of the people 
of England.” 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION- 

The present denominations of Christians in Virginia, 
are Presbyterians, who are most numerous, and inhabit 
the western parts of the State; Episcopalians who arc 
the most ancient settlers, and occupy the eastern and 
first settled parts of the State. Intermingled with these 
are great numbers of Baptists and Methodists. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The executive powers are lodged in the hands of a 
governor, chosen annually, and incapable of acting more 
than three years in seven. Fie is assisted by a council 
of eight members. Legislation is exercised by two houses 
of assembly, the one called the house of delegates, com¬ 
posed of two members from each county, chosen annu¬ 
ally by the citizens; the other called the senate, consist¬ 
ing of 24 members, chosen quadrennially by the same 
electors, who for this purpose are distributed into 24 dis¬ 
tricts. The concurrence of both houses is necessary to 
the passing of a law. 



176 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


This constitution was the first that was formed in any 
of the United States. 

^ POPULATION. 

According to the census of 1800, the number of inha¬ 
bitants of this State was found to be 880,102, of whom 
345,796 were blacks; which proves that the whites are 
not to the blacks in proportion as two is to one. 

MILITARY STRENGTH. 

The military strength of this State, like all the other 
states, is composed of a militia, wherein every able bo¬ 
died freeman, between the ages of 18 and 45, is enrolled. 

. If the militia bear the same proportion to the number of 
inhabitants now, as in 1802, they amount to about seven¬ 
ty-five thousand. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

Virginia, styled sometimes the “ Ancient Dominion,” 
has produced some of the most distinguished and influ¬ 
ential men that have been active in effecting the late 
grand and important revolution in America. Eler poli¬ 
tical and military character will rank among the first in 
the page of history. 

The Virginians who are rich, are in general, sensible, 
polite and hospitable, and of an independent spirit. The 
poor are ignorant and abject; and all are of an inquisi¬ 
tive turn. 

LITERATURE, COLLEGES, &c. 

The college of William and Mary was founded in the 
time of king William and queen Mary. The professor¬ 
ships stand thus; A professorship for law and police—ana¬ 
tomy and medicine—natural philosophy, and mathema¬ 
tics—moral philosophy, the law of nature and nations, 
the fine arts, and modern languages. 



OF VIRGINIA. 


irr 


1 he college edifice is a huge misshapen pile, “ which, 
but that it has a roof, would be taken for a brick kiln.’* 
In 1787 there were about 30 young gentlemen members 
of this college, a large proportion of which were law 
students. 

1 he academy in Prince Edward county has been erect¬ 
ed into a college, by the name of Hampden Sydney Col¬ 
lege. It has been a flourishing seminary, but is now 
said to be on the decline. 

There are several academies in Virginia—one at Al¬ 
exandria, one at Norfolk, one at Flanover, and others in 
other places. 

CHIEF TOWNS. 

They have no townships in this State, nor any towns 
of consequence, owing probably to the intersection of the 
country by navigable rivers, which bring the trade to 
the doors of the inhabitants, and prevents the necessity 
of their going in quest of it to a distance. 

JVorfolk contains 4202 white inhabitants, and 2724 
slaves. This borough will probably become the empo¬ 
rium for all the trade of the Chesapeak bay and its wa¬ 
ters; and a canal of 8 or 10 miles, which is now cutting, 
and will probably soon be completed, will bring to it all 
that of Albemarle sound and its waters. Secondary to 
this place, are the towns at the heads of the tide waters; 
viz. Petersburg on Appamatox, Richmond on James ri¬ 
ver, Newcastle on York river, Fredericksburg on Rappa¬ 
hannock, and Alexandria on Potomak. From these the 
distribution will be to subordinate situations of the country. 

Alexandria stands on the south bank of Potomak river 
in Fairfax county. Its situation is elevated and pleasant. 
It contains about 500 houses, many of which are hand¬ 
somely built, and 3000 inhabitants 

Mount Vernon, the celebrated seat of the late Presi¬ 
dent Washington, is pleasantly situated on the Virginia 
bank of the river Potomak, where it is nearly two miles 
wide, and is about 280 miles from the sea, and 127 from 
Point Look Out, at the mouth of the river. It is nine 


178 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 


miles below Alexandria. The area of the mount is 200 
feet above the surface of the river. On either wing is 
a thick grove of different flowering forest trees. Paral¬ 
lel with them, on the land side, are two spacious gar¬ 
dens, into which, one is led by two serpentine gravel 
walks, planted with weeping willows and shady shrubs. 
The mansion house itself appears venerable and conve¬ 
nient. A lofty portico, 96 feet in length, supported by 
eight pillars, has a pleasing effect when viewed from the 
water; the whole assemblage of the green house, school 
house, officers and servants’ halls, when seen from the 
land side, bears a resemblance to a rural village; espe¬ 
cially as the lands on that side are laid out somewhat in 
the form of English gardens, in meadows and grass 
grounds, ornamented with little copses, circular clumps, 
and single trees. A small park on the margin of the ri¬ 
ver, where the English fallow deer and the American 
wild deer are seen through the thickets, alternately with 
the vessels as they are sailing along, add a romantic and 
picturesque appearance to the whole scenery. 

Fredericksburg is on the south side of Rappahannock 
river, 110 miles from its mouth. 

Richmondis the present seat of government, and stands 
on the north side of James river, just at the foot of the 
falls, and contains betw^een 500 and 600 houses, and nearly 
6000 inhabitants. A bridge between 300 and 400 yards 
in length has lately been thrown across James river, at 
the foot of the fall. 

The falls above the bridge are seven miles in length. 
A noble canal has been completed on the north side of 
the river, which terminates in a bason of about two 
acres in the town of Richmond. From this bason to the 
wharves in the river, is a land carriage of about a mile. 
This canal was cut under the direction of a company, 
who have calculated the expense at 30,000/. Virginia mo¬ 
ney. 1 his they have divided into 500 shares of 60/. 
each. The opening of this canal promises the addition 
of much wealth to Richmond. 


OF VIRGINIA, 


179 


Petersburg^ 25 miles southward of Richmond, stands 
on the south side of Appamatox river, and contains up¬ 
wards of 300 houses, in two divisions, and 2500 inhabi¬ 
tants. It is very unhealthy, bein^ shut from the access 
of the winds by hills on every side. About 9,200 hog¬ 
sheads of tobacco are inspected here annually. The ce¬ 
lebrated Indian queen, Pocahontas, from whom descen¬ 
ded the Randolph and Bowling families, formerly resided 
at this place. 

Williamsburg is 60 miles eastward of Richmond, situ¬ 
ated between James and York rivers. It consists of about 
200 houses, going fast to decay, and has about 1 400 in¬ 
habitants. At the end of the main street are two public 
buildings, the college and capitol. Besides these, there 
is an Episcopal church, a prison, an hospital for lunatics, 
and the palace ; all of them extremely indilferent. 

Yorktown^ 13 miles eastward from Williamsburg, and 
14 from Monday’s Point, at the mouth of the river, is a 
place of about 100 houses, situated on the south side of 
York river, and contains about 700 inhabitants. It was 
rendered famous by the capture of Lord Cornwallis and 
his army, on the 19th of CJctober, 1781, by the united 
forces of America and France. 

MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. 

Before the war, the inhabitants of this State paid but 
little attention to the manufacture of their own clothing. 
It has been thought they used to import as much as se¬ 
ven-eighths of their clothing, and that they now manufac¬ 
ture three-quarters of it. 

The amount of exports from this State, in the year 
succeeding October 1, 1790, consisting chiefly of tobac¬ 
co, wheat, Indian corn, tar, pitch, turpentine, pork, &c. 
was 3,131,227 dollars. About 40,000 hogsheads of .tobac¬ 
co were exported that year. In 1801, the exports from 
this State amounted to 6,483,028 dollars, and has propor- 
tionably increased since. 

In the year 1758, this state exported 70,000 hogsheads 
of tobacco, which was the greatest quantity ever pro¬ 
duced in' this State in one year. 


180 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AND SEASONS. 

It is retnarkable, that, proceeding on the same paral¬ 
lel of latitude westwardly, the climate becomes colder, 
in like manner as when you proceed northwardly. This 
continues to be the case till you attain the summit of the 
Allegany, which is the highest land between the ocean 
and the Missisippi. From thence, descending in the 
same latitude of the Missisippi, the change reverses, and 
if w'e may believe travellers, it becomes warmer there 
than it is in the same latitude on the sea side. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL, See 

The whole country below the mountains, which are 
about 150, some say 200 miles from the sea, is level, 
and seems, from various appearances, to have been once 
washed by the sea. 

The soil below the mountains seems to have acquired 
a character for goodness which it by no means deserves. 
Though not rich, it is ’well suited to the growth of to¬ 
bacco and Indian corn, and some parts of it for wheat. 
Good crops of cotton, flax, and hemp, are also raised; 
and in some counties they have plenty of cyder, and ex¬ 
quisite brandy, distilled from peaches, which grow in 
great abundance on the numerous rivers of the Chesapeak. 

The planters, before the war, paid their principal at¬ 
tention to the culture of tobacco, of w'hich there used 
to be exported, generally, 55,000 hogsheads a year. 
Since the revolution, they are turning their attention more 
to the cultivation of wheat, Indian corn, barley, flax and 
hemp. It is expected that this State will add the article 
of rice to the list of her exports, as it is supposed a large 
body of swamp, in the easternmost counties, is capable 
of producing it. 



OF VIRGINIA. 


181 


RIVERS AND CANALS. 

' The names of the rivers are as follow, viz. Roanoke, 
James, Nansemond, Appamatox, a branch of James ri¬ 
ver; Rivanna, another branch of James river; York ri¬ 
ver, Rappahannock, and Potomak. 

The distance from the capes of Virginia to the termi¬ 
nation of the tide water in the last mentioned river, is 
above 300 miles; and navigable for ships of the great¬ 
est burden, nearly that distance. From hence this river, 
obstructed by four considerable falls, extends through a 
vast tract of inhabited country towards its source. These 
falls are, 1st, the Little Falls three miles above tide wa¬ 
ter, in which distance there is a fall of 36 feet: 2d, the 
Great Falls six miles higher, where is a fall of 76 feet 
in one mile and a quarter: 3d, the Seneca Falls, six 
miles above the former, which form short, irregular ra¬ 
pids, with a fall of about 10 feet: and 4th, the Shenan¬ 
doah Falls, 60 miles from the Seneca, where is a fail of 
about 30 feet, in three miles: from which last, fort Cum¬ 
berland is about 120 miles distant. The obstructions, 
which are opposed to the navigation above and between 
these falls, are of little consequence; and those occasion¬ 
ed by the falls, are now nearly removed, by means of 
locks and canals. 

Beyond the mountains are the Shenandoah river, which 
empties into the Potomak just above the Blue Mountains 
•—the Great Kanhawa, and the Little Kanhawa. 

MOUNTAINS. 

The mountains commence at about 150 miles from the 
sea coast, and are disposed in ridges, one behind another, 
running nearly parallel with the sea coast, though rather 
approaching it, as they advance northeastwardly. To 
the southwest, as the tract of country between the sea- 
coast and the Misissippi becomes narrow^er, the moun¬ 
tains converge into a single ridge, which, as it approaches 
the Gulf of Mexico, subsides into plain country, and gives 
rise to some of the waters of that gvilf, and particularly 
to a river called Apalachicola. The passage of the Po¬ 
tomak through the Blue Ridge, is perhaps one of the 


182 NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 

most stupendous scenes in nature. You stand on a very 
high point of land. On your right comes up the She¬ 
nandoah, having ranged along the foot of the mountain, 
a hundred miles, to seek a vent. On your left, ap¬ 
proaches the Potomak, in quest of a passage also. In 
the moment of their junction they rush together against 
the mountain, rend it asunder, and pass off to the sea. 
The first glance of this scene hurries our senses into the 
opinion, that this earth has been created in time, that 
the mountains were formed first, that the rivers began 
to flow afterwards, that in this place particularly they 
have been dammed up by the blue ridge of mountains, 
and have formed an ocean which filled the whole valley; 
that continuing to rise, they have at length broken over 
at this spot, and have torn the mountain down from its 
summit to its base. The piles of rocks on each hand, 
but particularly on the Shenandoah, the evident marks 
of their disruption and avulsion from their beds by the 
most powerful agents of nature, corroborate the impres¬ 
sion. But the distant finishing which nature has given 
to the picture, is of a very different character. It is a 
true contrast to the foreground. It is as placid and de¬ 
lightful, as that is wild and tremendous. For the moun¬ 
tain being cloven asunder, presents to the eye, through 
the cleft, a small catch of smooth blue horizon, at an in¬ 
finite distance, in the plain country, inviting you, as it 
were, from the riot and tumult roaring around, to pass 
through the breach, and participate of the calm below. 
Here the eye ultimately composes itself; and that way 
too, the road actually leads. You cross the Potomak 
above the junction, pass along its side through the base 
of the mountain for three miles, its terrible precipices 
hanging in fragments over you, and within about 20 
miles reach Fredericktown, and the fine country round 
it. This scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic. 
Yet here, as in the neighbourhood of the Natural Bridge, 
are people who have passed their lives within half a do¬ 
zen miles, and have never been to survey these monu¬ 
ments of a war between rivers and mountains, which 
must have shaken the earth itself to its centre. 


OF VIRGINIA. 


183 


MINERAL WATERS. 

There are several medicinal springs, some of which 
are indubitably efficacious, while others seem to owe their 
reputation as much to fancy, and change of air and regi¬ 
men, as to their real virtues. 

The most efficacious of these, are two springs in Au¬ 
gusta, near the sources of James river, where it is call¬ 
ed Jackson’s river. They rise near the foot of the ridge 
of mountains, generally called the Warm Spring moun¬ 
tain, but in the maps, Jackson’s mountains. The one 
is distinguished by the name of the Warm Spring, and 
the other of the Hot Spring. The waters relieve rheu¬ 
matisms. Other complaints also, of very different na¬ 
tures, have been removed or lessened by them. It rains 
here four or five days in every week. 

The Sweet Springs are in the county of Botetourt, at the 
eastern foot of the Allegany, about 42 miles fiom the 
Warm Springs. 

In the low grounds of the Great Kanhawa, 7 miles 
above the mouth of Elk river, is a hole in the earth, of 
the capacity of 30 or 40 gallons, from which issues con¬ 
stantly a bituminous vapour, in so strong a current, as 
to give to the sand about its orifice the motion which it 
has in a boiling spring. On presenting a lighted candle 
or torch within 18 inches of the hole, it fiames up a co¬ 
lumn of 18 inches diameter, and four or five feet in height 
which sometimes burns out in 20 minutes, and at other 
times has been known to continue three days, and then 
has been left burning. The flame is unsteady, of the 
density of that of burning spirits, and smells like burning 
pit-coal. Water sometimes collects in the bason, wdiich 
is remarkably cold, and is kept in ebullition by the vapour 
issuing through it. If the vapour be fired in that state, 
the water soon becomes so warm that the hand cannot 
bear it, and evaporates wholly in a short time. This, 
with the circumjacent lands, is the property of the late 
President Washington’s heirs and of General Lewis. 

NATURAL CURIOSITIES. 

The Natural Bridge is the most sublime of nature’s 
works. It is on the ascent of a hill, v, hich seems to have 


184 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


been cloven through its length by some great convulsions. 
The fissure, just at the bridge, is by some measure¬ 
ments 270 feet deep, by others only 205. It is about 45 
feet wide at the bottom, and 90 feet at the top; this of 
course determines the length of the bridge, and its height 
from the water. Its breadth in the middle is about 60 
feet, but more at the ends, and the thickness of the mass 
at the summit of the arch about 40 feet. A part of this 
thickness is constituted by a coat of earth, which gives 
growth to many large trees. The residue, with the hill 
on both sides, is solid rock of lime-stone. Though the 
sides of this bridge are provided, in some parts, with a 
parapet of fixed rocks, yet few men have resolution to 
w'alk to them and look over into the abyss. You involun¬ 
tarily fall on your hands and feet, creep to the parapet, 
and peep over it. If the view from the top be painful 
and intolerable, that from below is delightful in an equal 
extreme. It is impossible for the emotions arising from 
the sublime, to be felt beyond what they are here; so 
beautiful an arch, so elevated, so light, and springing as 
it were up to heaven, the rapture of the spectator is really 
indescribable. 


KENTUCKY, 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTEJVT BOUJVDARIES. 

Tins State is in length 2 50 miles, and in breadth 200; 
is situated between the 8th and 15th degrees of west 
longitude, and between 36i and 39i degrees north lati¬ 
tude; containing 50,000 square miles. It is bounded 
on the northwest by the Ohio; west by Cumberland ri¬ 
ver; south by Tennessee; east by Sandy river, and a 
line drawn due south from its source, till it strikes the 
northern boundary of North Carolina. 




OF KENTUCKY. 


185 


HISTORY. 

This country was well known to the Indian traders, 
many years before its settlement. They ^ave a descrip¬ 
tion of it to Levi Evans, who published his first map of 
it as early as the year 1752. James Macbride, with 
some others, explored this country, in 1754. Colonel 
Daniel Boon visited it, in 1769. A few years after, Col. 
Boon and his family, with five other families, who were 
joined by forty men from Powles’ valley, began the set¬ 
tlement of Kentucky, which is now one of the most grow¬ 
ing settlements perhaps in the world, and was erected 
into an independent State, by act of Congress, December 
6th, 1790, and received into the Union, June 1st, 1792. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION. 

The religious denominations here, are Presbyterians, 
Baptists, Methodists, and Episcopalians. There has 
lately been a wonderful attention to religion in this State, 
and many thousands have been added to tlie Christian 
church. 


GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

By the constitution of this State, formed and adopted 
in 1692, the powers of government are divided into three 
distinct departments: legislative, executive, and judiciary. 
The legislative power is vested in a general assembly, 
consisting of a senate and house of representatives; the 
supreme executive, in a governor; the judiciary, in the 
supreme court of appeals, and such inferior courts as 
the legislature may establish. The representatives are 
chosen annually, by the people; the governor and sena¬ 
tors are chosen for four years, by electors appointed for 
that purpose; the judges are appointed during good be¬ 
haviour, by the governor, with advice of the senate. 

Q.2 



136 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


POPULATION. 

In 1800 there were in this State 220,959 inhabitants, 
of whom 40,343 were slaves. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

The people of Kentucky, collected from different 
states, of different manners, customs, religions, and po¬ 
litical sentiments, have not been long enough together to 
form a uniform national character. Among the settlers 
there are many gentlemen of abilities, and many genteel 
families, from several of the states, who give dignity and 
respectability to the settlement. 

LITERATURE AND IMPROVEMENTS. 

The legislature of Virginia, while Kentucky belonged 
to that state, made provision for a college in it, and en¬ 
dowed it with very considerable landed funds.' The Rev. 
John Todd procured from various gentlemen in England 
and other places, a very handsome library for its use. 
Another college in this State has been in contemplation, 
and funds collected for its establishment. Schools are 
established in several towns, and, in general, regularly 
and handsomely supported. They have several print¬ 
ing-offices, and publish weekly gazettes. They have 
erected paper, oil, fulling and saw mills, and a great 
number of valuable grist mills. Their salt works are 
more than sufficient to supply all their inhabitants, at a 
low price. They make considerable quantities of sugar 
from the sugar trees. Labourers, particularly trades¬ 
men, are exceedingly wanted here. 

CHIEF TOWNS. 

I.exington^ which stands on the head waters of Elk- 
horn river, is the largest town in Kentucky. Here the 
courts of law are held and business regularly conducted. 



OF KENTUCKY. 


187 


Its inhabitants amount to 1795. Frankfort is the capi¬ 
tal; Washington and Louisville are the other chief towns. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AND SEASONS. 

The climate is healthy and delightful, some few places 
in the neighbourhood of ponds and low grounds except¬ 
ed. The inhabitants do not experience the extremes of 
heat and cold. Snow seldom falls deep, or lies long. 
The winter, which begins about Christmas, is never 
longer than three months, and is commonly but two, 
and is so mild that cattle can subsist without fodder. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL, &c. 

This whole country, as far as has yet been discovered, 
lies upon a bed of lime-stone, which in general is about 
six feet below the surface, except ini the vallies, where 
the soil is much thinner. A tract of about 20 miles widej 
along the banks of the Ohio, is hilly, broken land, inter¬ 
spersed with many fertile spots. The rest of the coun¬ 
try is agreeably uneven, gently ascending and descend¬ 
ing at no great distances. 

Kentucky, in general, is well timbered. Of the natu¬ 
ral growth which is peculiar to this country, we may 
reckon the sugar, the coffee, the papaw, the hackberry, 
and the cucumber tree. The two last are soft wood and 
bear a fruit of the shape and size of a cucumber. The 
coffee tree resembles the black oak, and bears a pod, 
which incloses a seed, of which a drink is made not un¬ 
like coffee. Resides these, there is the honey locust, 
black mulberry, wild cherry, of a large size. The buck¬ 
eye, an exceedingly soft wood, is the horse chesnut of 
Europe. The magnolia bears a beautiful blossom of a 
rich and exquisite fragrance. Such is the variety and 
beauty of the flowering shrubs and plants which grow 



188 NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

spontaneously in’ this country, that in the proper season 
the wilderness appears in blossom. 

The accounts of the fertility of the soil in this country, 
have in some instances exceeded belief, and probably 
have been exaggerated. That some parts of Kentucky, 
particularly the high grounds, are remarkably good, all 
accounts agree. The lands of the first rate are too rich 
for wheat, and will produce 50 or 60, and in some in¬ 
stances, it is affirmed, 100 bushels of good corn, an acre. 
In common, the land will produce 30 bushels of wheat 
or rye, an acre. Barley, oats, flax, hemp, and vegeta¬ 
bles of all kinds common in this climate, yield abun¬ 
dantly. The old Virginia planters say, that if the climate 
does not prove too moist, few soils known will yield more 
or better tobacco. Experience has proved, that the cli¬ 
mate is not too moist. Great quantities of this article 
have been exported to France and Spain through New 
Orleans. 

RIVERS AND SPRINGS. 

The river Ohio washes the northwestern side of Ken¬ 
tucky, in its whole extent. Its principal branches which 
water this fertile tract of country, are Sandy, Licking, 
Kentucky, Salt, Green, and Cumberland rivers. These 
again branch in various directions, into rivulets of differ¬ 
ent magnitudes, fertilizing the country in all its various 
parts. 

The banks of the rivers are generally high, and com¬ 
posed of lime-stone. After heavy rains, the water in the 
rivers rises from 10 to 30 feet. 

There are five noted salt springs or licks, in this coun¬ 
try, viz. the higher and lower Blue Springs, on Licking 
river—the Big Bone lick, Drennon’s licks; and BulliCs 
lick, at Saltburg. 

CURIOSITIES. 

The banks, or rather precipices, of Kentucky and 
Dick’s river, are to be reckoned among the natural cu¬ 
riosities of this country. Here the astonished eye be¬ 
holds 300 or 400 feet of solid, perpendicular rock, in 
some parts of the lime-stone kind, and in others of fine 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 189 

white marble, curiously chequered with strata .of asto¬ 
nishing regularity. These rivers have the appearance of 
deep artificial canals. Their high rocky banks are co¬ 
vered with red cedar groves. 


NORTH CAROLINA. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

* EXTEJ^T AX'D BOUNDARIES. 

THIS State is in length 300 miles and in breadth 120; 
it is situated between I degree and 6 degrees 30 minutes 
west longitude, and between 33 degrees 50 minutes and 
36 degrees 30 minutes north latitude; and contains about 
34,000 square miles. It is bounded on the north by Vir¬ 
ginia; east by the Atlantic ocean; south by South Caro¬ 
lina and Georgia; and west by a chain of mountains a 
few miles to the westward of the great Appalachian 
mountain. 


HISTORY. 

The history of North Carolina is less known than that 
of any other of the states. From the best accounts that 
history affords, the first permanent settlement in North 
Carolina was made about the year 1710, by a number of 
Palatines from Germany, who had been reduced to cir¬ 
cumstances of great indigence, by a calamitous war. 

The infant colony remained under the general govern¬ 
ment of South Carolina, till about the year 1729, when 
seven of the proprietors, for a valuable consideration, 
vested their property and jurisdiction in the crown; and 
the colony was erected into a separate province, by the 
name of North Carolina, and its present limits established 
by an order of George H. 




190 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION. 

The western parts of this State, which have been set¬ 
tled within the last 50 years, are chiefly inhabited by 
Presbyterians from Pennsylvania, the descendants of 
people from the north of Ireland, and are exceedingly 
attached to the, doctrines, discipline and usages of the 
church of Scotland. They are a regular, industrious 
people. 

The Moravians have several flourishing settlements in 
the upper part of this State. 

The Friends or Quakers have a settlement in Nevv 
Garden, in Guilford county, and several congregations 
at Perquimons and Pasquotank. The Methodists and 
'Baptists are numerous and increasing. 

The inhabitants of Wilmington, Newbern, Edenton, 
and Halifax districts, making about three-fifths of the 
State, formerly professed themselves of the Episcopal 
church. One or two only of the original clergy remain, 
and at present they have no particular pastoral charge. 
The Baptists and Methodists have sent a number of mis¬ 
sionary preachers into these districts; and some of them 
have pretty large congregations. It is not improbable 
that one or other of these denominations, and perhaps 
both, may acquire consistency, and establish permanent 
churches. 


GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

By the constitution of this State, which was ratified in 
December, 1776, all legislative authority is vested in two 
distinct branches, both dependent on the people, viz. a 
senate and house of commons, which when convened for 
business, are styled the General Assembly. 

The senate is composed of representatives, one from 
each county, chosen annually by ballot. 



OF NORTH CAROLINA. 


191 " 


The house of commons consists of representatives, cho¬ 
sen in the same way, two for each county, and one for 
each of the towns of Edenton, Newbern, Wilmington, 
Salisbury, Hillsborough, Halifax, and Fayetteville. 

POPULATION. 

In 1800 the number of inhabitants of this State amount¬ 
ed to about 478,103, of whom 133,296 were slaves. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

The North Carolinians are mostly planters, and live 
from half a mile to 3 and 4 miles from each other, on 
their plantations. They have a plentiful country—no 
ready market for their produce—little intercourse with 
strangers, and a natural fondness for society, which in¬ 
duce them to be hospitable to travellers. They appear to 
have little taste for the sciences. 

North Carolina has had a rapid growth. In the year 
1710, it contained but about 1200 fencible men. It 
is now, in point of numbers, the fourth State in the 
Union. During this amazing progress in population, 
which has been greatly aided by emigrations, from 
Pennsylvania, Virginia, and other states, while each has 
been endeavouring to increase his fortune, the human 
mind, like an unweeded garden, has been suftered to 
shoot up in wild disorder. But when we consider, that, 
during the late revolution, this State produced many dis¬ 
tinguished patriots and politicians, that she sent her thou¬ 
sands to the defence of Georgia and South Carolina, and 
gave occasional succours to Virginia—when we consider 
too the difficulties she has had to encounter, from a 
mixture of inhabitants, collected from different parts, 
strangers to each other, and intent upon gain, we shall 
find many things worthy of praise in her general cha¬ 
racter. 



192 . 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


LITERATURE, ACADEMIES, &c. 

The General Assembly of North Carolina, in Decem¬ 
ber, 1789, passed a law incorporating 40 gentlemen, five 
from each district, as trustees of the University of North 
Carolina. The State has given handsome donations for 
the endowment of this seminary. The General Assem¬ 
bly, in December, 1791, loaned 5000/. to the trustees, 
to enable them to proceed immediately with their build¬ 
ings. These have since been erected 32 miles west of 
Raleigh, the institution organized with professors and has 
now about 100 students. 

There is a very good academy at Warrenton, another 
at Wiliiamsborough, in Granville, and three or four 
others in the State, of considerable note. 

CHIEF TOWNS. 

J^/’ewbern.f 'Edenton^ Wilmington^ Halifax^ Hillsborough^ 
Salisbury, and Fayetteville^ each in their turns have been 
the seat of the general assembly. The city of Raleigh 
is now the established seat of government, and contains 
80 houses and 669 inhabitants. The state-house cost 
6000/. currency. 

Newbern is the largest towm in the State. It stands 
on a fiat sandy point of land, formed by the confluence 
of the rivers'Neus on the north, and Trent on the south, 
and contains 2476 inhabitants. 

Edenton is situated on the north side of Albemarle 
Sound, and has about 150 indifferent wooden houses, and 
a few handsome buildings, and 1302 inhabitants. 

Wilmington is a town of bet^veen 200 and 300 houses, 
situated on the east side or the eastern branch of Cape 
Fear, or Clarendon river, 34 miles from the sea. It has 
1689 inhabitants. 

Hillsborough is an inland town, situated in a high, 
healthy and fertile country, 180 miles north of the west 
from Newbern. It has 474 inhabitants. 

Salisbury is agreeably situated, about five miles from 
Yadkin river, and contains about 100 dwelling houses, 
and 645 inhabitants. 


OF NORTH CAROLINA. 


193 


Halifax is a pretty town, and stands on the western 
bank of the Roanoke, about 6 miles below the falls, and 
has about 30 or 40 dwelling houses, and 382 inhabitants. 

Fayetteville stands on the west side of Clarendon, 
commonly called Cape Fear river, and about a mile 
from its banks, and has about 700 inhabitants. 

Washington is situated in the county of Beaufort, oh 
the north side of Tar river, in latitude 35 degrees 30 mi¬ 
nutes, distant from Ocrecock inlet, 90 miles, and has 600 
inhabitants. 

Greensville^ so called after Major General Nathaniel 
Greene, is situated in Pitt county, on the south bank of 
Tar river, in latitude 35 degrees 35 minutes, distant from 
Ocrecock Inlet 110 miles, and has 174 inhabitants. 

Tarborough is situated in the county of Edgecomb,-on 
the south bank of Tar river, in latitude 35 degrees 45 
minutes, distant from Ocrecock Inlet 140 miles, and has 
523 inhabitants. 

MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. 

A great proportion of the produce of the back country, 
consisting of tobacco, wheat, Indian corn, he. is carried 
to market in South Carolina and Virginia. The south¬ 
ern interior counties carry their produce to Charleston; 
and the northern, to Petersburg and Norfolk. The ex¬ 
ports from the lower parts of tlie State, are tar, pitch, 
turpentine, rosin, Indian corn, boards, scantling, staves, 
shingles, furs, tobacco, pork, lard, tallow, bees wax, 
myrtle wax, and a few other articles, amounting, in the 
year, ending September 30, 1791, to 524,548 dollars. 
Their trade is chiefly with the West Indies and the 
northern states. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AND SEASONS. 

In the flaFcountry, near the sea-coast, the inhabitants, 
during the summer and autumn, are subject to intermit¬ 
ting fevers, which often prove fatal, as bilious or nervous 



194 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


symptoms prevail. The countenances of the inhabitants, 
during' these seasons, have generally a pale, yellowish 
cast, occasioned by the prevalence of bilious symptoms. 
They have very little of the bloom and freshness of the 
people in the northern states. 

The western hilly parts of the State are as healthy as 
any part of America. That country is fertile, full of 
springs and rivulets of pure w'ater. Autumn is very plea¬ 
sant, both in regard to the temperature and serenity of 
the weather, and the richness and variety of the vegeta¬ 
ble productions, Avhich the season affords. The winters 
are so mild in some years, that autumn may be said to 
continue till spring. Wheat harvest is in the beginning 
of June, and that of Indian corn early in September. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL, AND 
AGRICULTURE. 

North Carolina, in its whole width, for 60 miles from 
the sea, is a dead level. A great proportion of this tract 
lies in forest, and is barren. On the banks of some of 
the rivers particularly of the Roanoke, the land is fertile 
and good. Interspersed through the other parts, are 
glades of rich swamp, and ridges of oak land, of a black, 
fertile soil. Sixty or eighty miles from the sea, the 
country rises into hills and mountains, as described un¬ 
der this head in South Carolina and Georgia. 

Wheat, rye, barley, oats and flax, grow w^ell in the 
back hilly country. Indian corn and pulse of all kinds, 
in all parts. Cotton and hemp are also considerably cul¬ 
tivated here, and might be raised in much greater plenty. 
The cotton is planted yearly; the stalk dies wdth the 
frost. The labour of one man will produce 1000 pounds, 
in the seeds, or 250 fit for manufacturing. 

RIVERS, LAKES, Sec. 

These are, the Chowan, formed by the confluence of 
the Meherrin, Notaway, and Black rivers; all of which 
rise in Virginia. Roanoke, Cushai, Pamlico or Tar ri¬ 
ver, Neus, Trent, Pasquotank, Perquimons, Little ri¬ 
ver, and Alligator, Cape Fear, more properly Claren-» 
don river, opens into the sea at Cape Fear, 


OF NORTH CAROLINA. 


195 


This State would be much more valuable, were it not 
that the rivers are barred at the mouths, and the coast 
furnishes no good harbours. 

Pamlico Sound is a kind of lake or inland sea, from 
10 to 20 miles broad, and nearly 100 miles in length. 
Core Sound lies south of Pamlico, and communicates 
with it. 

Cape Hatteras is in latitude 35 degrees 15 minutes. 

Cape Lookout is south of Cape Hatteras, opposite 
Core Sound. Cape Fear is remarkable for a dangerous 
shoal, called, from its form, the Frying Pan. This shoal 
lies at the entrance of Cape Fear river, in latitude 33 
degrees 32 minutes. 

There are two swamps that have been called Dismal, 
Great Dismal is on the dividing line between Virginia 
and North Carolina. The other Dismal is in Currituck 
county, on the south side of Albemarle Sound. 

BOTANY, Sic. 

The large natural growth of the plains, in the low 
country, is almost universally pitch pine, which is a tall, 
handsome tree, far superior to the pitch pine of the north¬ 
ern states. This tree may be called the staple commo¬ 
dity of North Carolina. It affords pitch, tar, turpentine, 
and various kinds of lumber, which, together, constitute 
at least one half of the exports of this State. No coun¬ 
try produces finer white and red-oak for staves. The 
swamps abound with Cyprus and bay trees. The latter 
is an evergreen, and is food for the cattle in the winter. 

The Misletoe is common in the back country. This 
is a shrub, which differs in kind, perhaps, from all others. 
It never grows out of the earth, but on the tops of trees. 
The roots (if they may be so called) run under the bark 
of the tree, and incorporate with the wood. It is an 
evergreen, resembling the garden box wood. 

The late war, by which North Carolina was greatly 
convulsed, put a stop to several iron works. There are 
four or five furnaces in the State, that are in blast, and 
a proportionable number of forges. 


19d 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


TENNESSEE. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTEA'T AA^D BOUATDARIES, 

IT is in length 400 miles, and in breadth 104, situ¬ 
ated between 6 degrees 20 minutes and 16 degrees 30 
minutes west longitude, and between 35 degrees and 
36 degrees 30 minutes north latitude. 

It is bounded on the north, by Kentucky; and part 
of Virginia; east, by North Carolina; south, by South 
Carolina, and Georgia; and west by the Misissippi. 

HISTORY. 

This country was. included in the second charter of 
king Charles II, to the proprietors of Carolina, in a sub¬ 
sequent division ; it made a part of North Carolina. It 
was explored about the year 1745, and settled by about 
50 families, in 1754; who were soon after driven off, 
or destroyed by the Indians. Its settlement commenced 
in 1765 ; the first permanent settlement took place near 
Long Island, of Holston and upon Watuga, about 1774; 
and the first appearance of any person from it, in the 
public councils of North Carolina, was in the conven¬ 
tion of that State, in 1776. In the year 1780, a party, 
of about 40 families, under the guidance and direction 
of James Robertson, since brigadier Gen. Robertson, 
of Mero district, passed through a wilderness, of at least 
300 miles, to the French lick, and there founded Nash¬ 
ville. Their nearest neighbours were the settlers^f the 
infant state of Kentucky; between whom and them was 
a wilderness of 200 miles. From the year 1784, to 1788, 
the government of North Carolina, over this country, 
was interrupted by the assumed state of Frankland; but 
in the year 1789, the people returned to their allegiance; 



OF TENNESSEE. 


\97 


in the same year, North Carolina ceded this territory to 
the United States, on certain conditions, and congress 
provided for its government. A convention was held at 
Knoxville, in 1796, and on the 6th of February, the 
constitution of the state of Tennessee was signed by 
every member of it. Its principles promises o ensure 
the happiness and prosperity of the people. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION. 

The Presbyterians are the prevailing denomination of 
Christians in this district. They have a Presbytery es¬ 
tablished by act of Synod, which, in 1788, consisted of 23 
large congregations, who were then supplied by only six 
ministers. There are also some of the Baptist and Metho¬ 
dist denominations. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The constitution of this State, which was concluded at 
Knoxville, on the 6th of February, 1796, declares, that 
the legislative authority, shall be vested in a general as¬ 
sembly, which shall consist of a senate, and house of re¬ 
presentatives, both dependent on the people; the elec¬ 
tions are held once in two years; the supreme executive 
power is vested in a governor, who holds his office for 
the term of two years; and cannot be eligible more than 
six years, in any term of eight; he is commander in 
chief of the army and navy of this State. The de¬ 
claration of rights annexed to this constitution, says, 

“ that all men, have a natural right to worship Almighty 
God, according to the dictates of their own consciences, 
and that no preference shall be given by law, to any re¬ 
ligious establishments, or modes of worship.” 

POPULATION. 

According to the census taken in 1800, the whole num¬ 
ber of inhabitants was found to be about 105,602, of ' 
whom 13,584 were slaves. 

R2 





198 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


MILITARY STRENGTH. 

In 1788, the militia of the district amounted to be¬ 
tween 7 and 8000 effective men, who were principally 
armed with rifles. There are treble this number at 
present. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

There is nothing in the character of this people, that 
distinguishes them from the settlers of new countries in 
general. Among the bulk of the inhabitants, a great 
simplicity of manners prevails. Wrestling, jumping, 
running foot races, and playing at ball, are the common 
diversions. Dancing is coming into fashion. Card play¬ 
ing is a rare amusement. The hunting shirt is still worn 
by the militia on duty, and by hunters in pursuit of game. 

LITERATURE. 

Three colleges are established by law in this State, 
viz. Greenville college in Green county; Blount college 
at Knoxville, and Washington college in Washington 
county. Considerable funds have been collected for the 
former, and one or two thousand volumes of books for 
its library. A society has been established, who style 
themselves, “A Society for promoting useful knowledge.” 

CITIES AND TOWNS. 

Knoxville^ beautifully situated on the Plolston, is the 
seat of government in this State in N. lat. 35 degrees 42 
minutes and has 387 inhabitants. 

JVashville^ N. lat. 36 degrees. The courts for the dis¬ 
trict of Mero are semi-annually hold here; and it has two 
houses for public worship, a handsomely endowed aca¬ 
demy, established in 1786, and 345 inhabitants. 

Joiiesborough is the seat of the courts held in Wash¬ 
ington district. There are eight other towns of less note 
in the State. 



19§ 


OF TENNESSEE. 

MANUFACTURES AND .COMMERCE. 

This country furnishes many valuable articles of ex¬ 
port, such as line waggon and saddle horses, beef, cattle 
ginseng, deer skins and furs, cotton, hemp and flax 
which may be transported by land; also, iron, lumber, 
pork and flour, which will be exported in great quantities, 
now the navigation of the Misissippi is opened. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AND SEASONS. 

The climate of this State is temperate and healthy. 
In the tract lying between the Great Island, as it is call¬ 
ed, and the Kanhawa, the summers are remarkably 
cool, aJid the air rather moist. Southwest of this, as 
far as the Indian towns, the climate is much warmer, 
and the soil better adapted to the productions of the 
southern states. 

An inhabitant of this district writes, “ Our physicians 
are, a fine climate; healthy, robust mothers and fathers; 
plain and plentiful diet, and enough of exercise. There 
is not a regular bred physician residing in the whole dis¬ 
trict.” A few, however, have since settled here. 

RIVERS, MOUNTAINS, 8cc. 

The Tennessee, called also the Cherokee, is the larg¬ 
est branch of the Ohio. It rises in the mountains of 
Virginia, latitude 37 degrees, and pursues a course of 
about 1000 miles south and southwest, nearly to latitude 
34° receiving from both sides a number of large tributary 
streams. It then wheels about to the north in a circuit¬ 
ous course, and mingles with the Ohio, nearly 60 miles 
from its mouth. From its entrance into the Ohio, to 
the Muscle Shoals, 250 miles, the current is very gen¬ 
tle, and the river deep enough, at all seasons, for the 
largest row boats. The Muscle Shoals are about 20 
miles in length. At this place the river spreads to the 



NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


HOO 

width of 3 miks, and forms a number of Islands, and-is 
of difficult passage, except when there is a swell in the 
river. From these shoals to the whirl or suck, the place 
w'here the river breaks through the Great Ridge, or 
Cumberland mountain, is 250 miles, the navigation ail 
,the way excellent for boats of 40 or 50 tons. 

The Cumberland mountain, in its whole extent, from 
the Great Kanhawa to the Tennessee, consists of the 
most stupendous piles of craggy rocks, of any mountain 
in the western country. Through this stupendous pile, 
according to modern hypothesis, had the waters of all 
the upper branches of the Tennessee to force their way. 
The attempt would have been impracticable at any other 
place than the one mentioned, for more than 100 miles 
eastwardly. Flere then seems to have been the chasm, 
left by the Creator, to convey off those waters, which 
must otherwise have overflowed, and rendered useless a 
vast tract of valuable country, compassed within the 
mountains. 

The Whirl, as it is called, is in about latitude 35 de¬ 
grees. It is reckoned a great curiosity. The river, 
which a few miles above, is half a mile wide, is here 
compressed to the width of about 100 yards. Just as it 
enters the mountain, a large rock projects from the north¬ 
ern shore, in an oblique direction, which renders the bed 
of the river still narrower, and causes a sudden bendj 
the water of the river is of course thrown with great ra¬ 
pidity against the southern shore, whence it rebounds 
around the point of the rock, and produces the Whirl, which 
is about 80 yards in circumference. Canoes have often 
been carried into this Whirl, and escaped by the dexte¬ 
rity of the rowers, without damage. In less than a mile 
below the Whirl, the river spreads into its common width, 
and, except the Muscle Shoals, already mentioned flows 
beautiful and placid, till it mingles with the Ohio. The 
principal tributary streams to the Tennessee, are, the 
Holston, Peleson Clinch and Duck rivers. 

The Shawanee, now called Cumberland river, of the 
southern branches of the Ohio, is next in size to the 
Tennessee, and extends eastward nearly as far, but runs 


OF TENNESSEE< 


201 


a much more direct course. It is navigable for small 
craft as far as Nashville. 

There are five navigable rivers in this territory, which 
discharge themselves immediately into the Misissippi, viz. 
W olf, HatcHee, Forked Deer, Obeon and Reelfoot. 

It would take a volume to describe, particularly, the 
mountains of this territory, above half of which is covered 
with those which are uninhabitable. Some of these moun¬ 
tains, particularly the Cumberland, or Great Laurel Ridge, 
are the most stupendous piles in the United States. They 
abound with ginseng, and stone coal. Clinch mountain 
is south of these; in which Burk’s garden and Morris* 
Nob, might be described as curiosities. 

ZOOLOGY. 

A few years since, this country abounded with large 
herds of wild cattle, improperly called Buffaloes; but the 
improvident or ill-disposed among the first settlers, have 
destroyed multitudes of them, out of mere wantonness. 
They are still to be found on some of the south branches 
of Cumberland river. Elk or moose are seen in many 
places, chiefly among the mountains. The deer are be¬ 
come comparatively scarce; so that no person makes a 
business of hunting them for their skins only. Enough 
of bears and wolves yet remain. Beavers and otters are 
caught in plenty in the upper branches of Cumberland 
and Kentucky rivers. 

The mammoth, the king of the land animals, was 
formerly an inhabitant of this country. 


202 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


' SOUTH CAROLINA. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTEJVT AND BOUNDARIES, 

THIS State is in length 200 miles, and in breadth 
125, is situated between 4 degrees and nine degrees 
west longitude; and 32 degrees and 35 degrees north 
latitude; and contains 20,000 square miles. 

It is bounded on the north, by North Carolina ; east, 
by the Atlantic Ocean; south, and southwest, by Sa¬ 
vannah river, and a branch of its head waters called 
Tugulo river, which divides this State from Georgia. 

HISTORY. 

During the vigorous contest for independence, this 
State was a great sufferer. For three years it was the 
seat of war. It feels and laments the loss of many re¬ 
spectable citizens. Since the peace, it has been emerg¬ 
ing from that melancholy confusion and poverty, in which 
it was generally involved by the devastations of a relent¬ 
less enemy. The inhabitants are fast multiplying by emi¬ 
grations from the other states—the agricultural inte¬ 
rests of the State are reviving—commerce is flourish¬ 
ing—economy is becoming more fashionable—and sci¬ 
ence begins to spread her salutary influences among the 
citizens. And under the operation of the present go¬ 
vernment, this State, from her natural commercial, and 
agricultural advantages, and the abilities of her leading 
characters, promises to become one of the richest in the 
Union. 

See Ramsay’s Hist. Revol. in S. Carolina, Hist, of 
Carolina and Georgia, by Hewett, and Amer. Univ. 
Geography. 




OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 


203 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION. 

Since the revolution, by which all denominations were 
put on an equal footing, there have been no disputes be¬ 
tween different religious sects. 

The upper parts of this State are settled chiefly by 
Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists. From the most 
probable calculations, it is supposed that the religious de¬ 
nominations of this State, as to numbers, may be rank¬ 
ed as follows: Presbyterians, including the Congrega¬ 
tional and Independentchurches, Episcopalians, Baptists, 
Methodists, See. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The legislative authority is vested in a general assem¬ 
bly, consisting of a senate and house of representatives. 
There are 124 representatives, and 35 senators appoint¬ 
ed among the several districts. The general assembly 
is chosen on the second Monday of October, and meets 
on the fourth Monday in November annually. Each house 
chooses its own officers, judges of the qualifications of 
its members, and has a negative on the other. The ex¬ 
ecutive authority is vested in a governor, chosen for two 
years, by both houses of assembly jointly; but he can¬ 
not be re-elected till after four years. A lieutenant go¬ 
vernor is chosen in the same manner, for the same time 
and liolds the office of governor in case of vacancy. 

This constitution was ratified June 3, 1790. 

POPULATION. 

The number of inhabitants of this State amounts to 
about 245,591 of whom 146,151 are slaves. 

MILITARY STRENGTH. 

The militia of this State, in 1791, amounted to 24,435 
of which 750 were in the city of Charleston. 



204 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

There is no peculiarity in the manners of the inhabi¬ 
tants of this State, except what arises from the mischiev¬ 
ous influence of slavery; and in this, indeed, they do not 
differ from the inhabitants of the other southern states. 
Slavery, by exempting great numbers from the necessi¬ 
ties of labour, leads to luxury, dissipation and extrava¬ 
gance. The absolute authority which is exercised over 
their slaves, too much favours a haughty, supercilious 
behaviour. A disposition to obey the Christian precept, 

Do to others as you would that others should do unto 
you,” is not cherished by a daily exhibition of many made 
for one. 

The Carolinians are generally affable, easy in their 
manners, and polite and attentive to strangers. The la¬ 
dies want the bloom of the north, but have an engaging 
softness and delicacy in their appearance and manners, 
and many of them possess the polite and elegant accom¬ 
plishments. 

LITERATURE, &c. 

Gentlemen of fortune, before the late war, sent their 
sons to Europe for education. During the war and since 
they have generally sent them to the middle and north¬ 
ern states. There are several respectable academies in 
Charleston, one at Beaufort, on Port Royal island, and 
several others in different parts of the State. Three 
colleges have lately been incorporated by law: one at 
Charleston, one at Winnsborough, in the district of Cam¬ 
den, the other at Cambridge, in the district of Ninety 
Six. The public and private donations for the support 
of these three colleges, were originally intended to have 
been appropriated jointly, for the erecting and support¬ 
ing of one respectable college. The division of these 
donations has frustrated this design. The Mount Sion 



OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 


205 


college at Winnsborough, is supported by a respectable 
society of gentlemen, who have long been incorporated. 
This institution flourishes, and bids fair for usefulness. 
The college at Cambridge is no more than a grammar 
school. 

The legislature have made provision lately for estab¬ 
lishing a university at Columbia. 

CITIES AND TOWNS. 

Charleston is the only considerable town in South Ca¬ 
rolina. It is situated on the tongue of land which is 
formed by the confluence of Ashley and Cooper rivers. 
These rivers mingle their waters immediately below the 
town, and form a spacious and convenient harbour, which 
communicates with the ocean just below Sullivan’s island, 
which it leaves on the north, seven miles southeast, of 
the town. The continued agitation which this occasions 
in the waters which almost surround Charleston—the re¬ 
freshing sea breezes which are regularly felt, and the 
smoke arising from so many chimnies, render Charles¬ 
ton more healthy than any part of the low country, in 
the southern states. On this account it is the resort of 
great numbers of gentlemen, invalids from the West 
India islands, and of the rich planters from the country, 
who come here to spend the sickly months, as they are 
called, in quest of health, and of the social enjoyments 
which this city affords. And in no part of America are 
the social blessings enjoyed more rationally and liberally, 
than in Charleston. Unaffected hospitality, affability, 
ease in manners and address, and a disposition to make 
their guests welcome, easy and pleased with themselves, 
are characteristics of the respectable people in Charleston. 

The public buildings are, an exchange, state house 
lately rebuilt, armoury, poor house, two large chinches 
for Episcopalians, two for Congregationalists or Inde¬ 
pendents, one for Scotch Presbyterians, one for Baptists, 
one for German Lutherans, two for the Metliodists, (a 
large house for worship being lately finished by them) 
one for French Protestants; besides a meeting house 
for Quakers, a Roman Catholic chapel, and a Jewish 
. synagogue. 


206 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


But little attention is paid to the public markets. A 
great proportion of the most wealthy inhabitants have 
plantations, from which they receive supplies of almost 
every article of living. The country abounds with poul¬ 
try and wild ducks. Their beef, mutton and veal are 
not of the best kind. Few fish are brought to market. 

In 1791, there were 16,359 inhabitants, of whom 
7684 were slaves. In 1800, 19,724, of whom 9053 
were slaves. 

Beaufort, on Port Royal Island, is a pleasant little 
town of about 100 houses, and 700 inhabitants, who are 
distinguished for their hospitality and politeness. 

Georgetown, 61 miles NE. of Charleston, the seat of 
justice in Georgetown district, stands on a spot of land 
near the junction of a number of rivers, which, when 
united in one broad stream, by the name of Winyaw', fall 
into the ocean 12 miles below the town. 

Columbia, which has lately been made the seat of go¬ 
vernment, by the legislature, stands just below the junc¬ 
tion of Saluda and Broad rivers, on the Congaree a branch 
of the Santee. 

MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. 

I'he amount of exports from the port of Charleston, 
in the year ending Nov. 1787, was then estimated, from 
authentic documents, at;^505,279: 19 ; 5 sterling money. 
The r.umber of vessels cleared from the custom house 
the same year, was 947, measuring 62,118 tons, 735 of 
these, measuring 41,531 tons, were American; the others 
belonged to Great Britain, Spain, France, the United 
Netherlands, and Ireland. 

The principal articles exported from this State, are 
rice, indigo, tobacco, skins of various kinds, beef, pork, 
cotton, pitch, tar, rosin, turpentine, myrtle wax, lumber, 
naval stores, cork, leather, pink root, snake root, ginseng, 
&c. In the most successful seasons, there have been as 
many as 140,000 barrels of rice, 1,300,000 pounds of 
indigo, exported in a year. From the lath of Decem¬ 
ber, 1791, to September, 1792, 108,567 tierces of rice, 
averaging 5501b. net weight each, were exported from 


OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 


207 


Charleston. In the year ending September 30, 1791, ex¬ 
clusive ol two quarters for which no returns were made, 
the amount of exports from this State, was 1,860,029 
dollars. In the year ending September 30, 1795, the 
value of exports from this State, was 5,998,492 dollars 
49 cents, in 1801, 14,304,045 dollars. 


NATURAL GEOGRA.PHY. 

CLIMATE AND SEASONS. 

The climate of this State is temperate and healthy, ex¬ 
cept where the swamps and large reservoirs of w'ater, 
kept up by the planters to water their rice in the proper 
season, are frequent. I’he spring and fall are very agree¬ 
able, and in the coldest season of the year the gardens 
abound with fresh vegetables. In short, though nause¬ 
ous exhalations from stagnant waters may be injurious 
in some parts of the flat country, it may nevertheless be 
considered as a pleasant and delightful climate, where 
nature aided by a small degree of industry furnishes the 
comforts of life in abundance. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY. 

"J'he whole State, to the distance of 80 miles from the 
sea, is level, and almost without a stone. In this dis¬ 
tance, by a gradual ascent from the sea-coast, the land 
rises about 190 feet. Here, if you proceed in a WNW. 
course from Charleston, commences a curiously uneven 
country. The traveller is constantly ascending or de¬ 
scending little sand hills, which nature seems to have 
disunited in a frolic. If a pretty high sea w’ere suddenly 
arrested and transformed into sand hills, in the very iorin 
the weaves existed at the moment of transformation, it 
would present the eye with just such a view as is here 
to be seen. Some little herbage, and a few small pines, 
grow even on this soil. The inhabitants are few, and 
have but a scanty subsistence on corn and sweet potatoes, 



208 


NATURAL GEOCxRAPPIY 


which grow here tolerably well. This curious country 
continues for about 60 miles, till you arrive at a place 
called The Ridge, 140 miles from Charleston. Ihis 
Ridge is a remarkable tract of high ground, as you ap¬ 
proach it from the sea, but level as you advance north¬ 
west from its summit. It is a fine, high, healthy belt 
of land, well watered, and of a good soil, and extends 
from the Savannah to Broad River. Beyond this Ridge 
commences a country exactly resembling the northern 
states. Here hills and dales, with all their verdure and 
variegated beauty, present themselves to the eye. 
Wheat fields, which are rare in the low country, begin 
to e-row common. Here Pieaven has bestowed its bless- 
ing's Mith li most bounteous hand. The air is much 
more temperate and healthful than nearer to the sea. 
The hills are covered with valuable woods, the vallies 
are watered with beautiful rivers, and the fertility of the 
soil is equal to every vegetable production. This, by 
■way of distinction, is called the Upper Country, where 
are difierent modes and different articles of cultivation; 
where the manners of the people, and even their language 
have a different tone. The land still rises by a gradual 
ascent; each succeeding hill overlooks that which imme¬ 
diately precedes it, till, having advanced 220 miles, in a 
northwest direction from Charleston, the elevation of the 
land, above the sea coast, is found by mensuration to be 
BOO feet. Here commences a mountainous country which 
continues rising to the western terminating point of this 
btate. 


SOIL, AGRICULTURE, 8cc. 

The soil may be divided into four kinds: First, The 
pine barren, w'hich is valuable only for its timber. In¬ 
terspersed among the pine barren, are tracts of land free 
of timber, and every kind of growth, but that of grass. 
I'liese tracts are called Savannas, constitucing a second 
kind of soil, good for grazing. The third kind is that 
of the swamps and low grounds on the rivers, which is 
a mixture of black loam and fat clay, producing naturally 
canes in great plenty, cypress, bays, loblolly pines. See. 
In these swamps rice is cultivated, which constitutes the 


OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 209 

staple commodity of the State. The high lands, com¬ 
monly known by the name of oak and hiccory lands, con¬ 
stitute the fourth kind of soil. The natural growth is 
oak, hiccory, walnut, pine, and locust. On these lands, 
in the low country, are cultivated Indian corn principally; 
and in the back country, besides these, they raise tobacco 
in large quantities, wheat, rye, barley, oats, hemp, flax, 
cotton and silk. 

1 here is little fruit in this State, especially in the lower 
parts of it. They have oranges, wliich are chiefly sour; 
and figs in plenty; a few lime and lemon trees, pome¬ 
granates, pears and peaches; apples are scarce, and are 
imported from the northern states. Melons (especially 
the water melon) are raised here in great perfection. 

Rice ground is prepared only by effectually securing 
it from the water, except some higher parts of it, which 
are sometimes dug up with a hoe, or mellowed by a 
plough or harrow. When the rice is young, the over¬ 
flowing of the water does not prevent its growth. Those 
who have water in reserve, commonly let it in upon their 
rice after first going through with the hoe, while it is yet 
young, though it is deemed best to keep out the grass 
without this aid, by the hoe only. The water is com¬ 
monly kept on the rice eight or ten days after hoeing. 
When the ear is formed, the water is continued on till 
it is ripe. It is hoed three or four times. When the 
grass is very thick, a negro cannot hoe more than one 
sixteenth of an acre in a day. From three pecks to a 
bushel is sown on an acre. It produces from 50 to 80 
bushels of rough rice an acre—120 bushels of rough rice 
have been produced on one acre; 20 bushels of which 
make about 500 pounds, or eight and a quarter bushels 
clean rice for market. After it is threshed, it is win¬ 
nowed, and then ground in a mill, constructed of two 
blocks, in a simple manner—then winnowed by a fan 
constructed for that purpose—then beat in a mortar by 
hand, or now generally by horse or water machines— 
then sifted, to separate the whole rice from that which 
is broken, and the flour. The whole rice is then bar¬ 
relled in casks of about 500 pounds, or eight and a quar- 

S2 


210 


NATURAL GEOGRx\PHY. 


ter bushels. The small rice serves for provisions, and 
the flour for provender; the chaff for manure, and the 
straw for fodder. The blade is green and fresh while 
the car is ripe. The price is from 9^4 to 10s6 a hun¬ 
dred—dollars 4s8. 

RIVERS, LAKES, MOUNTAINS, &c. 

This State is watered by four large navigable rivers, 
viz. the Savannah, Edisto, Pedee, and Santee, the latter 
of which is the largest and longest river in this State; 
it empties into the ocean by two mouths, a little south 
of Georgetown. 

The rivers of a secondary size, as you pass from north 
to south, are Wakkamah, Black river. Cooper, Ashepoo, 
and Combahee. 

In the third class, are comprehended those rivers which 
extend but a short distance from the ocean, and serve, 
by branching into numberless creeks, as drains to take 
oft' the quantity of rain water, which comes down from 
the large inland swamps; or are merely arms of the sea. 
The tide, in no part of the State, flows more than 25 
miles from the sea. 

A company has been incorporated for the purpose of 
connecting Cooper and Santee rivers, by a canal of 21 
miles, in length—Cost estimated at 400,000/. currency. 
It is now completed, and in successful operation. 

Except the high hills of the Santee, the Ridge, and 
some few other hills, this country is like one extensive 
plain, till you reach the Tryon and Hogback mountains, 
220 miles northwest of Charleston. The mountains west 
and northwest rise much higher than these, and form a 
ridge, which divides the waters of Tennessee and Santee 
rivers. 

The only harbours of note are those of Charleston, 
Port Royal, and Georgetown. 

The, sea-coast is bordered with a chain of fine sea 
islands around which the sea flows, opening an excellent 
inland navigation, for the conveyance of produce to mar¬ 
ket. The principal of these are Bull’s, Dewee’s, and 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


£11 


Sullivan’s islands, which form the north part of Charles¬ 
ton harbour. James’, John’s, Wadmelaw, Port Royal, 
St. Helena, Ladies, Paris, and the Hunting Islands, five 
or six in number, Hilton Head, Pinckney’s, Bull’s, Daw- 
fuskie’s, and some smaller islands. 

The soil of these islands is generally better adapted 
to the culture of indigo than the main, and less suited to 
rice. Cotton grows very well upon them. The natu¬ 
ral growth is the live oak, which is excellent for ship- 
timber; and the palmetto or cabbage-tree, the utility of 
which, in the construction cf forts, was experienced dur¬ 
ing the late war. 


GEORGIA. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

HXTEKT A:N'D BOUNDARIES. 

THIS State is 600 miles in length and 250 in breadth; 
it is situated between 5 degrees and 16 degrees west lon¬ 
gitude, and between 31 degrees and 35 degrees north 
latitude. 

It is bounded on the east by the Atlantic ocean; south 
by East and West Florida; west by the river Misissippi; 
north and southeast by South Carolina and Tennessee, 
or by lands ceded to the United States by South Carolina. 
These boundaries embrace the Misissippi territory. 

HISTORY. 

The settlement of a colony between the rivers Savan¬ 
nah and Alatamaha, was meditated in England in 1732, 
for the accomodation of poor people in Great Britain and 
Ireland, and for the further security of Carolina. Private 
compassion and public spirit, conspired to promote the 
benevolent design. Humane and opulent men suggest- 




212 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY 


ed a plan for transporting a number of indigent families 
to this part of America, free of expense. For this pur¬ 
pose they applied to King George II, and obtained from 
him letters patent, bearing date June 9th, 1732, for le¬ 
gally carrying into execution what they had generously 
projected. They called the new province Georgia, in 
honour of the King, who encouraged the plan. 

During the late war, Georgia was overrun by the Bri¬ 
tish troops, and the inhabitants were obliged to flee into 
the neighbouring states for safety. The sufierings and 
losses of her citizens were as great, in proportion to their 
numbers and wealth, as in any of the states. Since the 
peace, the progress of the population of this State has 
been rapid. Its growth in improvement and population 
has been checked by the hostile irruptions of the Creek 
Indians, which have been frequent and very distressing 
to the frontier inhabitants. Treaties have been held, and 
a cessation of hostilities agreed to between the parties; 
and the conclusion of a permanent peace and a restora¬ 
tion of tranquillity to the State, has been the result. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPFIY. 

RELIGION. 

The inhabitants of this State, who profess the Chris¬ 
tian religion, are of the Presbyterian, Episcopalian, 
Baptist, and Methodist denominations. They have but 
few regular ministers among them. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The present constitution of this State was formed and 
established in the year 1789, and is nearly upon the plan 
of the constitution of the United States. 

POPULATION. 

The number of inhabitants of this State amounts to 
about 162,686, of whom 59,699 are slaves. 



OF GEORGIA. 


213 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 
manners and customs. 

No general character will apply to the inhabitants at 
large. Collected from different parts of the world, as 
interest, necessity or inclination led them, their character 
and manners, must, of course, partake of all the varieties 
which distinguish the several states and kingdoms from 
whence they came. There is so little uniformity, that 
it is difficult to trace any governing principle among them. 
An aversion to labour is too predominant, owing in part 
to the relaxing heat of the climate, and partly to the want 
of necessity to excite industry. An open and friendly 
hospitality, particularly to strangers, is an ornamental 
characteristic of a great part of this people. 

LITERATURE. 

The literature of this State, which is yet in its infancy, 
is commencing on a plan which affords the most flatter¬ 
ing prospects. The charter containing their present sys¬ 
tem of education, was passed in the year 1785. A col¬ 
lege, with ample and liberal endowments, is instituted 
and organized at Louisville, a high and healthy part of 
tlic country, near the centre of the State. There is also 
provision made for the institution of an academy, in each 
county in the State, to be supported from the same funds, 
and considered as parts and members of the same insti¬ 
tution, under the general superintendence and direction 
of a president and board of trustees, appointed for their 
literary accomplishments, from the different parts of 
the State, invested with the customary powers of corpo¬ 
rations. The institution thus composed, is denominated 
The University of Georgia.” 

That this body of literati, to whom is intrusted the di¬ 
rection of the general literature of the State, may not be 
so detached and independent, as not to possess the con¬ 
fidence of the State; and in order to secure the attention 



214 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


and patronage of the principal officers of government, 
the governor and council, the speaker of the house of as¬ 
sembly, and the chief justice of the State, are associated 
with the board of trustees, in some of the great and more 
solemn duties of their office; such as making the laws, 
appointing the president, settling the property, and in¬ 
stituting academies. Thus associated, they are deno¬ 
minated “ The Senate of the University,” and are to hold 
a stated annual meeting, at which the governor of the 
State presides. 

The senate appoint a board of commissioners in each 
county, for the particular management and direction of 
the academy and the other schools in each county, who 
are to receive their instructions from, and are account¬ 
able to, the senate. The rector of each academy is an 
officer of the university, to be appointed by the presi¬ 
dent, with the advice of the trustees, and commissioned un¬ 
der the public seal, and is to attend, with the other offi¬ 
cers, at the annual meeting of the senate, to deliberate 
on the general interests of literature, and to determine 
on the course of instruction for the year, throughout the 
university. The president has the general charge and 
oversight of the whole, and is from time to time to visit 
them, to examine into their order and performances. 

The funds for the support of this institution are princi¬ 
pally in lands, amounting in the whole to about fifty 
thousand acres, a great part of which is of the best cpial- 
ity, and at present very valuable. There are also six 
thousand pounds sterling in bonds, houses and town lots, 
in the town of Augusta. Other public property to the 
amount of 1000/. in each county, has been set apart for 
the purposes of building and furnishing their respective 
academies. 

CHIEF TOWNS. 

The late seat of government in this State was Augusta^ 
This city is situated on the southwest bank of Savannah 
river, which is here about 500 yards wide, about 144 
miles from the sea, and 127 northwest of Savannah. It 
has 2215 inhabitants. 


OF GEORGIA. 


215 


Savannah^ the former capital of Georgia, stands on a 
high sandy blulf, on the south side of Savannah river, 
and 17 miles from its mouth. It is regularly built in the 
form of a parallelogram, and has 5146 inhabitants 

Suribury is a small sea-port town, 40 miles southward 
of Savannah, and has a safe and very convenient harbour. 

Brunswick^ in Glynn county, latitude 31 degree 10 mi¬ 
nutes is situated at the mouth of Turtle river, at which 
place this river empties into St. Simon’s sound. Bruns¬ 
wick has a safe and capacious harbour; and the bar at 
the entrance into it, has water deep enough for the largest 
vessel that sails. 

Frederica^ on the island of St. Simon, is nearly in lati¬ 
tude 31 degrees 15 minutes. It is the first town that 
was built in Georgia, and u^as founded by General Ogle¬ 
thorpe. The town contains blit 72 inhabitants in a few 
houses, which stand on an eminence, if considered with 
regard to the marshes before it, upon a branch of Alata- 
maha river, which washes the west side of this agreeable 
island, and forms a bay before the town, affording a safe 
and secure harbour for vessels of the largest burthen, 
which may lie along the wharf. 

Washington^ the chief town in the county of Wilkes, 
is situated in latitude 33 degrees 22 minutes, about 50 
miles northwest of Augusta. It had, in 1788, a court 
house, gaol, 34 dwelling-houses, and an academy, whose 
funds amounted to about 800/. sterling, and the number 
of students to between 60 and 70. 

The town of Louisville^ which is the present seat of 
government in this State, has been laid out and built on 
the bank of Ogechee river, about 70 miles from its mouth. 

MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. 

The chief articles of export are rice, tobacco, (of which 
the county of Wilkes only, exported in the year 1788, 
about 3000 hogsheads) indigo, sago, lumber of various 
kinds, naval stores, leather, deer skins, snake-root, myr¬ 
tle and bees wax, corn and live stock. The planters and 
farmers raise large flocks of cattle from 1000 to 1500 
head, and som.e more. 


216 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 


The amount of exports in the year ending September 
SOth, 1791, was 491,472 dollars. In return for the enu¬ 
merated exports, are imported. West India goods, teas, 
wines, various articles of clothing, and dry goods of all 
kinds—from the northern states, cheese, fish, potatoes, 
apples, cyder, and shoes. The manner in wliich the in¬ 
digo is cultivated and manufactured is as follows: The 
ground, which must be a strong rich soil, is thrown into 
beds of 7 or 8 feet wide, after having been made very 
mellow, and is then raked till it is fully pulverized. The 
seed is then sown in April, in rows of such a distance as 
conveniently to admit of hoeing between them. In July, 
the first crop is fit to cut, being commonly two and a 
half feet high. It is then thrown into vats, constructed 
for the purpose,and steeped about 30 hours; after which, 
the liquor is drawn off into other vats, where it is beat, 
as they call it, by which means it is thrown into much 
such a state of agitation as cream is by churning. After 
this process, lime water is put into the liquor, which 
causes the particles of indigo to settle at the bottom. 
The liquor is then drawn off*, and the sediment, which is 
the indigo, is taken out and spread on cloths, and partly 
dried; it is then put into boxes and pressed, and while 
it is yet soft, cut into square pieces, which are thrown 
into the sun to dry, and then put up in casks for the mar¬ 
ket. They have commonly three cuttings a season. A 
middling crop for 30 acres, is 1300 pounds. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AMD SEASONS. 

The climate of this State in general cannot be esteem¬ 
ed salubrious, especially near the low lands, where the 
inhabitants are very siif^ect to bilious, intermittent, and 
nervous fevers, pleurisies, &c. The summers are very 
hot and long, but the effects of the almost vertical rays 
of the sun are somewhat mitigated by refreshing breezes, 
which generally spring up about nine o’clock in the morn- 



OF GEORGIA. 


217 


ing, and frequent thunder-showers, which purify the air 
considerably. The winters, in general, are mild and 
pleasant; snow seldom falls in any part of the State, and 
frosts are never sufficiently severe to prevent the growth 
of cabbages, radishes, lettuces, &c. in the gardens. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY. 

The face of the country of this State bears so great 
a resemblance to that of South Carolina, that to particu¬ 
larize it here would be only a repetition of what we have 
already cited. 

SOIL AND AGRICULTURE. 

The soil and its fertility are various, according to si¬ 
tuation and different improvements. The islands on the 
sea board, in their natural state, are covered with a plen¬ 
tiful growth of pine, oak, hiccory, live oak, (an uncom¬ 
monly hard and valuable wood) and some red cedar. 
The soil is a mixture of sand and black mould, making 
what is commonly called a grey soil. The principal 
islands are Skidaway, Wassaw, Ossabaw, St. Catharine’s, 
Sapclo, Frederica, Jekyl, Cumberland and Amelia. 

The soil of the main land, adjoining the marshes and 
creeks, is nearly of the same quality with that of the 
islands, except that which borders on those rivers and 
creeks which stretch far back into the country. On 
these, immediately after you leave the salts, begin the 
valuable rice swamps, which, on cultivation, afford the 
present principal staple of commerce. 

The soil between the rivers, after you leave the sea 
board and the edge of the swamps, at the distance of 20 
or 30 miles, changes from a grey to a red colour, on 
which grow plenty of oak and hiccory, with a considera¬ 
ble intermixture of pine. To this kind of land succeeds, 
by turns, a soil nearly black, and very rich, on wdiich 
grow very large quantities of black walnut, mulberry, &:c. 
In this State are produced by culture, rice, indigo, cot¬ 
ton, silk, (though not in large quantities) Indian corn, 
potatoes, oranges, figs, pomegranates, &c. Rice, at pre¬ 
sent, is the staple commodity; and as a small proportion 


218 


Nx\TURAL GEOGRAPHY 


only of the rice ground is under cultivation, the quantify 
raised in future must be greater than it is at present. 

Most of the tropical fruits would flourish in this State 
with proper attention. The rice plant has been trans¬ 
planted, and also the tea plant, of which such immense 
quantities are consumed in the United States, was intro¬ 
duced into Georgia, by Mr. Samuel Bowen, about the 
year 1770, from India. The seed was disseminated, and 
the plant now grows \vithout cultivation, in most of the 
fenced lots in Savannah. 

From many considerations, we may perhaps venture 
to predict, that the soushwestern part of the State, and 
the parts of East and West Florida, which lie adjoining, 
Avill, in some future time, become the Vineyard of Ame¬ 
rica. 

RIVERS, LAKES, See. 

Savannah river divides this State from South Carolina. 
Its course is nearly from northwest to southeast. It is 
formed principally of two branches, by the names of Tu- 
gulo and Keowee, which spring from the mountains. It 
is navigable for large vessels up to Savannah, and for 
boats of 100 feet keel, as far as Augusta. 

Ogechee river, about 18 miles south of the Savannah, 
is a smaller river, and nearly parallel with it in its course. 

Alatamaha, about 60 miles south of Savannah river, 
has its source in the Cherokee mountains, near the head 
of Tugulo, theiice it descends through the hilly country 
with all its collateral branches, and winds rapidly amongst 
the hills, 250 miles, and then enters the flat plain coun¬ 
try, by the name of the Oakmulge; thence meandering 
150 miles, it is joined on the east side by the Ocone, 
which likewise heads in the lower ridges of the moun¬ 
tains. After this confluence, having now gained a vast 
acquisition of waters, it assumes the name of Alatamaha, 
when it becomes a large majestic river, flowing with gen¬ 
tle windings through a vast plain forest, nearly 100 miles 
and enters tlie Atlantic by several mouths. 

Besides these, there is Turtle river. Little Sitilla or 
St. Ille, Great Sitilla, Crooked river, and St. Mary’s, 


OF GEORGIA. 


219 


tyhich form a part of the southern boundary of the United 
States. St. Mary’s river has its source from a vast lake, 
or rather marsh, called Ouaquaphenogaw, and flows 
through a vast plain and pine forest, about 150 miles to 
the ocean, v/ith which it communicates between the points 
of Amelia and Talbert’s islands, latitude 30 degrees 44 
minutes, and is navigable for vessels of considerable bur¬ 
then for 90 miles. Its banks afford immense quantities 
of fine timber, suited to the West India market. 

The rivers in the middle and western parts of this 
State, are Apalachicola, which is formed by the Chata- 
lioushee and Mint rivers. Mobile, Alibanta, Tombigby, 
Escambia, Pascagoula and Pearl rivers. All these run¬ 
ning southwardly, empty into the Gulf of Mexico. The 
Yazoo and Loosa Chitto, empty into the Misissippi. 

The lake, or rather marsh, called Ouaquaphenogaw, 
lies between Flint and Oakmulge rivers, and is nearly 
300 miles in circumference. In wet seasons it appears 
like an inland sea, and has several large islands of rich 
land; one of which, the present generation of Creek In¬ 
dians represent as the most blissful spot on earth. They 
say it is inhabited by a peculiar race of Indians, whose 
women are incomparably beautiful. They tell you also 
that this terrestrial paradise has been seen by some en- 
terprizing hunters, when in pursuit of their game, who, 
being lost in inextricable swamps and bogs, and on the 
point of perishing, were unexpectedly relieved by a com¬ 
pany of beautiful women, whom they call daugJUers of 
the sun, who kindly gave them such provisions as they 
had with them, consisting of fruit and corn cakes, and 
then enjoined them to fly for safety to their own coun¬ 
try, because their husbands were fierce men and cruel 
to strangers. They further say, that these hunters had 
a view of their settlements, situated on the elevated banks 
of an island, in a beautiful lake; but that in their endea¬ 
vours to approach it, they were involved in perpetual la¬ 
byrinths, and, like enchanted lands, still as they imagined 
they had just gained it, it seemed to fly before them. 
They determined at length, to quit the delusive pursuit, 
and with much difficulty effected a retreat. When they 


220 HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 

• 

reported their adventures to their countrymen, the young 
warriors were inflamed with an irresistable desire to in¬ 
vade and conquer so charming a country, but all their 
attempts had hitherto proved fruitless, they never being 
able again to find the spot. They tell another story con¬ 
cerning this sequestered country, which seems not im¬ 
probable ; which is, that the inhabitants are the posterity 
of a fugitive remnant of the ancient Yamases, who, es¬ 
caping massacre, after a bloody and decisive battle be¬ 
tween them and the Creeks, (who, it is certain, conquer¬ 
ed, and nearly exterminated that once powerful people) 
here found an asylum, remote and secure from the fury 
of their proud conquerors. 


MISISSIPPI TERRITORY. 

HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

BGUjVDARIES, 

IT is bounded on the north, by Tennessee; west, by 
the Misissippi river; south, by West Florida; and east, 
by the Apalachicola and Flint river. 

For the history of this Territory^ see Georgia^ of the 
Koestcrn fart of nvhich it is comfiosecU In 1800 it ^as erect¬ 
ed into a distinct government^ giving to the inhabitants the 
same privileges as are enjoyed bxj those of the JVbrthwestern 
Territory axid Indiana, 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

Of the Territory now described, the state of Georgia, 
by act of their legislature, passed January 7th, 1795, 
sold about 22,000,000 of acres, to four different compa- 



OF MISISSIPPI TERRITORY. 


221 


nies. These lands have been sold by the original pur¬ 
chasers chiefly in the middle and eastern states. Great 
and serious disputes’*^ have arisen in respect to the title 
to these lands, which are now in a train of adjustment, 
before a board of commissioners on the part of Georgia 
and the Federal government. 

POPULATION. 

The number of inhabitants in 1800 was 8850, of whom 
3489 were slaves. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 


For manners and customs^ language and literature^ see 
Georgia. 


CHIEF TOWNS. 

Mitchez^ on the east bank of the Misissippi, is the ca¬ 
pital of this territory, and including St. Catherine’s, con¬ 
tains 1656 inhabitants, of these 8;)3 are slaves. Jefferson^ 
in Washington county, contains 437 inhabitants. Sham- 
burgh and Steely in this county, are equally populous. 
Cole's Creeks and Baic Pairre^ in the county of Pickering, 
and Sandy and Second Creeks^ and Homo Chitto in Adams 
county, are the best settled parts of this new country. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

SOIL, PRODUCTIONS AND CLIMATE. 

The soil of this country, particularly what has been 
called the Natchez country, is represented as superior 
to any of the lands on the borders of the river Misissip- 


* A full account of these disputes is given in the Appendix f 
the American Gazetteer, published in 1797. 

T2 


222 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 


pi, for the production of many articles. Its situation be¬ 
ing higher, affords a greater variety of soil, and is in a 
more favourable climate for the growth of wheat, rye, 
barley, oats. See. than the country lower down, and near¬ 
er to the sea. The soil also produces, in equal abun¬ 
dance, Indian corn, rice, hemp, flax, indigo, cotton, pot¬ 
herbs, pulse of every kind, and pasturage; and the to¬ 
bacco made here is esteemed preferable to any cultivated 
in other parts of America. Hops grow wild; all kinds 
of European fruits arrive to great perfection, and no part 
of the known world is more favourable for the raising of 
every kind of stock. The climate is healthy and tempe¬ 
rate; the country delightful and well watered; and the 
prospect is beautiful and extensive, variegated by many 
inequalities and fine meadows, separated by innumera¬ 
ble copses, the trees of which are of different kinds, but 
mostly of walnut and oak. The rising grounds, which 
are clothed with grass, and other herbs of the finest ver¬ 
dure, are properly disposed for the culture of vines; the 
mulberry trees are very numerous, and the winters suf¬ 
ficiently moderate for the breed of silk worms. Clay of 
different colours, fit for glass works and pottery, is found 
here in great abundance; and also a variety of stately 
timber fit for house and ship building, &c. The elevated 
open and airy situation of this country renders it less lia¬ 
ble to fevers and agues (the only disorders ever known 
in its neighbourhood) than some other parts bordering 
on the Misissippi, where the want of sufficient descent 
to convey the waters off, occasion numbers of stagnant 
ponds, whose exhalations infect the air. 

For the other heads under Natural Geografihy^ see Geor^ 
gia. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 




LOUISIANA. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTEjYT AJ\rD BOUjYDARIES, 

THIS country extends from the Gulf of Mexico, to 
near 45 degrees of north latitude on the west side of the 
Misissippi; and to near 39 degrees on its eastern bank. 
It is bounded by Canada, on the north; by New York, 
Pennsylvania, Virginia, Carolina, and the northwest of 
the easternmost peninsula of Florida, on the east; the 
Gulf of Mexico, on the south; and New Mexico, on the 
west. 


HISTORY. 

Louisiana was discovered and peopled by the French, 
whose monarchs made several grants of its trade, parti¬ 
cularly to Mr. Crosat in 1712, who resigned his charter 
to a company formed by Mr. Law, in 1717; this com¬ 
pany was relinquished in 1731. By a secret convention 
on the 3d of November, 1762, the French government 
ceded so much of the province as lies beyond the Misis¬ 
sippi, as well as the island of New Orleans, to Spain; 
and by the treaty of peace, of 1763, F'rance and Spain 
ceded an extensive territory, including the Flovidas, to 
Great Britain. Spain took the two Floridas from Great 
Britain during the American war, which were confirmed 
to her by the treaty of peace, of 1783. By the treaty 
of St. Ildefonso of October 1st, 1800, Spain promised to 
cede back to France under certain conditions, the pro¬ 
vince of Louisiana, with the same extent that it had when 
France possessed it; and this treaty was confirmed and 
enforced by that of Madrid, of the 20th of March, 1801. 
F''rom France it passed to the United States, by the treaty 
of the SOth of April, 1803. 




224 ' 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION. 

Before this country was ceded to the United States, 
the established religion was the Roman Catholic. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The present government of this country consists of a 
governor, a secretary, a legislative council of thirteen, 
three judges forming a superior court, and a district at¬ 
torney, marshal, &c. The governor is to hold his office 
for the term of three years; and the secretary for four 
years; the legislative council are to be appointed annu¬ 
ally. All the officers are to be appointed by the presi¬ 
dent, and subject to removal at his pleasure. Beside 
these a district judge, to reside at New Orleans and to 
hold his sittings every month, is also among the appoint¬ 
ments. 

POPULATION AND MILITARY STRENGTH. 

A conjectural estimation, made by a gentleman of 
great respectability and correct information residing at 
Natchez, makes the number of whites in the island, of 
New Orleans, and on the west side of the river, and some 
settlements on the east, amount to upwards of 50,000; 
and the number of blacks to nearly 40,000. Their mili¬ 
tia he estimates at 10,340. 

POLITICAL IMPORTANCE. 

The acquisition of this vast territory, by the United 
States, presents a subject of the utmost political import¬ 
ance. As an addition of territory to their already over¬ 
grown empire, it was highly impolitic; the flattering 
prospects it offers, will have a powerful tendency of drain¬ 
ing away the enterprising and brave, from their as yet 
too thinly populated states; and will, by leaving the guar¬ 
dianship of them to the avaricious and timid, materially 



OF LOUISIANA. 


225 


diminish their internal power. But if we view its relation 
with the European powers, we shall be convinced that 
the acquisition will not only prove beneficial, but essen¬ 
tially necessary, to the future welfare and prosperity of 
the states in general; it will secure to them the unmo¬ 
lested navigation of a noble river, the only outlet to a 
market for the produce of an immense country, inferior 
to none in point of fertility; and must, from its natural 
advantages, in due season rank among the most impor¬ 
tant. The danger to which their peace and tranquillity 
was perpetually exposed, will, by removing all foreign 
influence far from their shores, be lessened, and save 
them from being so easily drawn into the vortex of Euro¬ 
pean politics. 

In a commercial point of view, it will, by preventing 
the introduction of all foreign merchandise through this 
channel, at so low a rate as before, improve their manu¬ 
facturing system. The ample resources it affords for the 
supply of the West India markets, would, by being in 
the possession of an enterprising and industrious nation, 
considerably have lessened the benefits of that lucrative 
commerce: and, from its relative advantages, we may 
conclude, that it will in due time yield an immense reve¬ 
nue, and permanently establish the future tranquillity of 
the Union. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

The inhabitants of Louisiana are a mixture of a great 
many different nations; and owing to the little intercourse 
they have kept up with each other, have chiefly retained 
the customs of their predecessors. Many of the plant¬ 
ers are opulent, industrious and hospitable, and the na¬ 
tives in general are sprightly, and have a turn for me¬ 
chanics and the fine arts; but their system of education 
is so wretched, that little real science is obtained. 



226 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


LITERATURE. 

There are no colleges, and but one public school, v/hich 
is at New Orleans. The masters of this were formerly 
paid by the king; they teach the Spanish language only. 
There are a few private schools for ciuldren. Not more 
than one half of the inhabitants are supposed to be able 
to read and write, of whom not more than 200 perhaps 
are able to do it well. The learning of the inhabitants 
in general does not extend beyond those two articles. 

CPIIEF TOWNS. 

J\^env Orleans the metropolis of Louisiana, is situated 
on the east side of the Misissippi, 105 miles from its 
mouth, in latitude 30 degrees north, and longitude 90 
degrees west; it extends nearly a mile along the river, 
and is a little more than one fifth of a mile in breadth, 
from the river to the rampart, but it has extensive 
suburbs on the upper side. The houses are mostly of 
brick, and many of them are two stories, the remainder 
are of wood, and amount altogether to about 1400; the 
number of inhabitants may be estimated at 10,000. Its 
advantages for trade are very great, situated on a noble 
river, with a moral certainty of its becoming the grand 
receptacle for the produce of the western country, and 
within a short distance of the West India islands, are 
sufficient circumstances to ensure its future growth and 
commercial importance. 

MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. 

The domestic manufactures are but few. There is 
in New Orleans a considerable manufacture of cordage, 
there are likewise in and within a few miles of the town 
12 distilleries for making taffia, and one sugar refinery 
making annually about 200,000Ibs. of loaf-sugar. 

The exports of Louisiana consisting of cotton, sugar, 
molasses, indigo, &c. may be calculated to amount at 
present to about 2,15 8,000 dollars, and the value of im¬ 
ports under the Spanish government amounted to about 
2 , 500,000 dollars. 


OF LOUISIANA, 


S27 


In the year 1802 there entered the Misissippi 268 ves¬ 
sels of ail descriptions, including 18 public armed vessels, 
the united tonnage of the merchantmen amounted to 
33,725 register tons. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 
CLIMATE AND SEASONS. 

The climate of Louisiana varies in proportion as it ex¬ 
tends northward, its southern parts are not subject to the 
same degree of heat as the same latitudes in Africa; nor 
its northern parts to the same degree of cold as the cor¬ 
responding latitudes in Europe; owing to the thick woods 
which cover the country, and to the great number of ri¬ 
vers which intersect it. The former prevent the sun 
from scorching the earth; the latter cause a great de¬ 
gree of humidity which softens the air and prevents ex¬ 
treme cold. 

I'he prevailing diseases on the lower part of the Ohio, 
the Misissippi, and through the Floridas are bilious fe¬ 
vers. In some seasons they are niiid and little more 
than intermittents, in others they are highly malignant, 
and approach the genuine yellow fever of the West In¬ 
dies. 


SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS. 

To judge of the produce to be expected from the soil 
of Louisiana, let us turn our eyes to Egypt, Arabia Fe¬ 
lix, Persia, India, China, and Japan, all lying in corres¬ 
ponding latitudes. 

The country in the vicinity of New Madrid, is repre¬ 
sented as excellent, in many parts beyond description. 
The natural growth, consists of mulberry, locust, sassa¬ 
fras, walnut, hiceory, oak, ash, dog wood, &c. with one or 
more grape vines running up almost every tree; the 
grapes yield from experiment, good red wine in plenty, 
and with little labour. In some of the low grounds, grow 



228 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 


large cypress trees. The country is interspersed with 
prairies, and now and then a cane patch of a hundred, 
and some of a thousand acres. These prairies have no 
trees on them, but are fertile in grass, flowering plants, 
strawberries, and, when cultivated, produce good crops 
of wheat, barley, Indian corn, flax, hemp, and tobacco, 
and are easily tilled. The climate is said to be favour¬ 
able to health, and the culture of fruits of various kinds, 
and particularly for garden vegetables. 

RIVERS. 

It is intersected by a number of fine rivers, among 
which are St. Francis, navigable about 250 or 300 miles; 
the Natchitoches, the Adayes or Mexicano river, and 
the river Rouge, on which, it is well known, are as rich 
silver mines as any in Mexico, besides the numberless 
branches of the Missouri and Misissippi. This is sup¬ 
posed to be one principal reason, why the exclusive na¬ 
vigation of the Misissippi has been so much insisted on 
by Spain. 

BOTANY. 

The principal plants that characterise this country are 
cactus cochenilifer, a species of the Indian fig, upon 
which the cochineal insect more particularly delights to 
feed; convolvulus jalapa, the true jalap, a native of the 
province of Xalappa in the viceroyalty of Mexico; co- 
paifera officinalis and toluifera balsamum, two trees 
that yield the fragrant gum resins, known in commerce 
by the names of balsam of Capivi and of Tolu. 

MINERALOGY. 

Above the Natchitoches dwell the Cadodaquiebos In¬ 
dians, near one of their villages is a rich silver mine; the 
silver lies in a stone of chesnut colour: further north is 
another silver mine. Lead ore is also found in diflerent 
places: also iron ore, pit coal, marble, slate, and plaister 
of Paris. Ascending Black river about 30 leagues, it re¬ 
ceives from the west a brook of salt water; its source is 
a lake of salt water two leagues distant, which is about 
six miles long and three broad; three miles north of this 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


229 


is another salt lake nearly as large; north of Red river 
is a spring of water very salt. About 600 miles up the 
Missouri, are found large quantities of fossile salt; whole 
hills of it are near the river, and from the specimens 
which have been exhibited, it appears of an excellent 
quality. The lead ore of St. Genevieve is remarkably 
pure and productive; there is no regular company for 
procuring and working it; but the settlers at their lei¬ 
sure dig for it, satisfied with what they find within 15 
feet depth: it is found to yield from 60 to 74 per cent 
from the native ore. 


SPANISH DOMINIONS IN NORTH AMERICA. 

EAST AND WEST FLORIDA. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTEJ^T AKD BOUJVDARIES, 

THIS country is in length 600 miles, and in breadth 
130; situated between 25 degrees and 31 degrees north 
latitude, and 5 degrees and 17 degrees west longitude. 

It is bounded on the north, by Georgia; east, by the 
Atlantic ocean; south, by the Gulf of Mexico; and west, 
by the Misissippi: which separates it from Louisiana. 

HISTORY. 

The Floridas have experienced the vicissitudes of war, 
and frequently changed masters, belonging alternately to 
the French and Spaniards. West Florida, as far east as 
Perdido river, was owned and occupied by the French; 
the remainder, and all East Florida, by the Spaniards, 
previous to their being ceded to the English, at the peace 
of 1763. The English divided this country into East 
and West Florida. They were ceded bv Spain to the 

U 




CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


2;io 


English at the peace of 1763. During the last war, they 
were reduced by the arms of his Catholic Majesty, and 
guaranteed to the crown of Spain, by the definitive trea¬ 
ty of 1783. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION. 

The religion of the inhabitants of this country is like 
all the other under the Spanish government, the Roman 
Catholic. 


GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The inhabitants of the Floridas are under the imme¬ 
diate orders of the military commandants, and subject to 
martial law; with an appeal from stage to stage to the 
viceroy of Mexico. The property of the subject, at his 
decease, is to be managed by the commandant, whose 
fees by law are enormous. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

CHIEF TOWNS. 

St, Jiigustine^ the capital of East Florida, is situated 
on the sea-coast, latitude 29 degrees 45 minutes; it is of 
an oblong figure, and intersected by four streets, which 
■cut each other at right angles. The town is fortified. 

The principal town in West Florida is Penmcola^ lati¬ 
tude 30 degrees 22 minutes. It lies along the beach, 
and like St. Augustine, is of an oblong form. The bay, 
on which the town stands, forms a very commodious har¬ 
bour, and vessels may ride here secure from every wind. 




OF EAST AND WEST FLORIDA. 231 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AND SEASONS. 

The climate oj the Floridan differs very little from that 
of Georffa, 

SOIL, PRODUCTIONS, See. 

There are in this country, a great variety of soils. 
The eastern part of it, near and about St. Augustine, is 
far the most unfruitful; yet even here, two crops of In¬ 
dian corn a year are produced. The banks of the ri¬ 
vers which water the Floridas, and the parts contiguous, 
are of a superior quality, and well adapted to the culture 
of rice and corn, while the more interior country, which 
is high and pleasant, abounds with wood of almost every 
kind; particularly white and red oak, live oak, laurel mag¬ 
nolia, pine, hiccory, cypress, red and white cedar. The 
live oaks, though not tall, contain a prodigious quantity 
of timber. The trunk is generally from 12 to 20 feet in 
circumference, and rises 10 or 12 feet from the earth, 
and then branches into 4 or 5 great limbs, which grow 
in nearly a horizontal direction, forming a gentle curve. 
“ I have stepped,” says Bartram, “ above 50 paces on a 
straight line, from the trunk of one of these trees to the 
extremity of the limbs.” They are evergreen, and the 
wood almost incorruptible. They bear a great quantity 
of small acorns, which make an agreeable food when 
roasted, and from which the Indians extract a sweet oil, 
which they use in cooking homminy and rice. 

The laurel magnolia is the most beautiful among the 
trees of the forest, and is usually 100 feet high; though 
some are much higher. The trunk is perfectly erect, 
rising in the form of a beautiful column, and supporting 
a head like an obtuse cone. The flowers are on the ex¬ 
tremities of the branches—are large, white, and expand¬ 
ed like a rose, and the largest and most complete of any 
yet known; when fully expanded, they are from 6 to 9 



232 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


inches in diameter, and have a most delicious fragrance. 
The cypress is the largest of the American trees. “ I 
have seen trunks of these trees,” says Bartram, “ that 
would measure 8, 10, and 12 feet in diameter, for 40 and 
50 feet straight shaft.” The trunks make excellent shin¬ 
gles, boards and other timber; and when hollowed make 
durable and convenient canoes. “ When the planters 
fell these mighty trees, they raise a stage round them, 
so high as to reach above the buttresses; on this stage 
8 or 10 negroes ascend with their axes, and fall to work 
round its trunk. 


RIVERS, LAKES, &c. 

Among the rivers that fall into the Atlantic, St. John’s 
and Indian rivers are the principal. 

Seguana, Apalachicola, Chata Hatcha, Escambia, Mo¬ 
bile, Pascagoula, and Pearl rivers, all rise in Georgia, 
and run southerly into the Gulf of Mexico. 


MEXICO OR NEW SPAIN. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTEKT AND BOUNDARIES. 

THIS extensive country is in length 2100 miles and 
in breadth 1600; it is situated between 9 degrees and 
40 degrees north latitude, and between 18 degrees and 
50 degrees west longitude. 

It is bounded on the north, by unknown regions; east, 
by Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico ; south, by the isth¬ 
mus of Darien, which separates it from Terra Firma in 
South America; and west, by the Pacific ocean. 

HISTORY. 

The history of Mexico has been of little moment since 
it was conquered by Spain, in 1521, when the last mon- 




OF MEXICO, 


233 


arch Giiatimozin perished, Montezuma having died the 
preceding year. Wars and rebellions constitute the chief 
features of Mexican history and the Spanish govern¬ 
ment presents few events of moment. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION. 

The clergy are extremely numerous in Mexico. The 
priests, monks and nuns of all orders, make a fifth of the 
white inhabitants, both here and in other parts of Spanish 
America. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The civil government of Mexico is administered by 
tribunals called Audiences. In these courts, the Vice¬ 
roy of the king of Spain presides. His employment is the 
greatest trust and power his Catholic Majesty has at his 
disposal, and is perhaps the richest government entrusted 
to any subject in the world. The Viceroy continues in 
office three years. 

REVENUE. 

According to Mr. Robertson, the yearly revenue which 
Mexico yields to the Spanish crown, after deducting the 
extravagant charges of administration, amounts to above 
4,600,000 dollars. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

The manners and customs of the Mexican settlers 
have not been particularly illustrated, but if they differ, 
from those of the parent country it is chiefly in an in¬ 
crease of religious fanaticism. 

U3 




234 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


CHIEF TOWNS. 

Mexico is the oldest city in America of which we have 
any account; its foundation being dated as far back as 
1325. It is situated in the charming vale of Mexico, on 
several small islands, in lake Tetzuco, in north latitude 
19 degrees 26 minutes and 103 degrees 35 minutes wpt 
longitude from Ferro. This vale is surrounded with 
lofty and verdant mountains, and formerly contained no 
less than 40 eminent cities, besides villages and hamlets. 

Concerning the ancient population of this city, there 
are various opinions. The historians most to be relied 
on say, that it was nearly nine miles in circumference, 
and contained upwards of 60,000 houses, having each 
from 4 to 10 inhabitants. By a late accurate enumera¬ 
tion, made by the magistrates and priests, it appears that 
the present number of inhabitants exceeds 200,000. 

The greatest curiosity in the city of Mexico, is their 
floating gardens. When the Mexicans, about the year 
1325, were subdued by the Colhuan and Tepanecan na¬ 
tions, and confined to the small islands in the lake, hav¬ 
ing no land to cultivate, they were taught by necessity 
to form moveable gardens, which floated on the lake. 
Their construction is very simple: they take v/illows and 
the roots of marsh plants, and other materials which are 
light, and twist them together, and so firmly unite them 
as to form a sort of platform, which is capable of sup¬ 
porting the earth of the garden. Upon this foundation 
they lay the light bushes which float on the lake, and 
over them spread the mud and dirt which they draw up 
IVom tiie bottom of the lake. Their regular figure is 
quadrangular; their length and breadth various, but ge¬ 
nerally about 8 rods long and 3 wide; and their eleva¬ 
tion from the surface of the water is less than a foot. 
These were the first fields that the Mexicans owned, af¬ 
ter the foundation of Mexico j there they first cultivated 
the maize, great pepper, and other plants necessary for 
their support, h rom the industry of the people, these 
fields soon became numerous. At present they cultivate 
flowers and every sort of garden herbs upon them. Every 
day of the year, at sunrise innumerable vessels or boats 


OF MEXICO. 


235 


loaded with various kinds of flowers and herbs, which 
are cultivated in these gardens, are seen arriving by the 
canal, at the great market place of Mexico. All plants 
thrive in them surprisingly; the mud of the lake makes 
a very rich soil, which requires no water from the clouds. 
In the largest gardens there is commonly a little tree 
and a little hut, to shelter the cultivator, and defend him 
from the rain or the sun. When the owner of a garden, 
or the Chinampa, as he is called, wishes to change his 
situation, to get out of a bad neighbourhood, or to come 
nearer to his family, he gets into his little boat, and by 
his own strength alone, if the garden is small, or with 
the assistance of others, if it be large, conducts it where- 
ever he pleases, with the little tree and hut upon it. 
That part of the island where these floating gardens are, 
is a place of delightful* recreation, where the senses re¬ 
ceive the highest possible gratification. 

The buildings which are of stone, are convenient, and 
the public edifices, especially the churches, are magni¬ 
ficent ; and the city has the appearance of immense 
wealth. 

MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. 

The manufacturing system is much neglected in Mexi¬ 
co ; but this neglect may in a great measure be attributed 
to the abundance of its natural productions in all the three 
great veins of nature, animal, vegetable, and mineral, by 
which it is singularly distinguished. The trade consists 
of three great branches, which extend over the whole 
world. It carries on a traffic with Europe, by La Vera 
Cruz, situated on the Gulf of Mexico or north sea; with 
the East Indies, by Acapulco, on the south sea, 210 miles 
S W. of Mexico; and with South America, by the same 
port. These two sea-ports, Vera Cruz and Acapulco, 
are admirably well situated for the commercial purposes 
to which they are applied. 


326 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AMD SEASONS. 

The climate of this extensive country is various. The 
maritime parts are hot, and for the most part moist and 
unhealthy. Lands, which are very high, or very near 
to high mountains, which are perpetually covered with 
snow, are cold; there have been white frosts and ice, in 
the dog days. All the other inland parts which are most 
populous, enjoy a climate so mild and benign, that they 
neither feel the rigours of winter, nor the heats of sum¬ 
mer. No other fire than the sun’s rays is necessary to 
give warmth in winter; no other relief is wanted in the 
seasons of heat, than the shade; the same clothing which 
covers a man in the dog days, defends him in January; 
and the animals sleep all the year under the open sky. 
But the agreeableness of the climate is counterbalanced 
by thunder storms, which are frequent in summer, and 
by earthquakes, which at all seasons are felt, although 
with less danger than terror. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY. 

The land is in a great measure abrupt and mountain¬ 
ous, covered with thick woods and watered with large 
rivers ; some of them run into the Gulf of Mexico, and 
others into the Pacific ocean. 

SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS. 

However plentiful and rich the mineral kingdom of 
Mexico may be, the vegetable kingdom is still more va¬ 
rious and abundant. The celebrated Dr. Hernandez 
describes, in his natural history, about 1200 plants, na¬ 
tives of that country; but as his description is confined 
to medicinal plants, he has hardly comprised one half of 
what provident nature has produced there for the benefit 
of mankind. With respect to the other vegetables, some 
are esteemed for their flowers, some for their fruits, some 


OF MEXICO. 


237 


for their leaves, some for their roots, some for their trunk 
or their wood, and others for their gum, resin, oil, or juice. 

The fruits, which are original in Mexico, are, pine¬ 
apples, plums, dates, and a great variety of others. 
1 here are also many others that are not original in the 
country, viz. water-melons, apples, peaches, quinces, 
apricots, pears, pomegranates, figs, black cherries, wal¬ 
nuts, almonds, olives, chesnuts, and grapes. 

Ihe cocoa-nut, vanilla, chia, great pepper, tomati, 
the pepper of Tobasco, and cotton, are very common 
\yith the Mexicans. Wheat, barley, peas, beans and 
rice have been successfully cultivated in this country. 

With respect to plants which yield profitable resins, 
gums, oils or juices, the country of Mexico is singularly 
fertile. 


RIVERS, LAKES, See. 

The principal rivers are the Alvarado, Coatzacualo, 
Tobasco, and Guadalaxara or Great River. 

There are several lakes, which do not less embellish 
the country than give convenience to the commerce of 
the people. The lakes of Nicaragua, Chapallan, and 
Pazquaro, are among the largest. The lakes Tetzuco 
and Chaleo occupy a great part of the vale of Mexico, 
which is the finest tract of country in New Spain. The 
waters of Chaleo are sweet, those of Tetzuco are brack¬ 
ish. A canal unites them. The lower lake (Tetzuco) 
was formerly as much as 20 miles long and 17 broad, 
and lying at the bottom of the vale, is the reservoir of all 
the waters from the surrounding mountains. The city 
of Mexico stands on an island in this lake. 

In this country are interspersed many fountains, of dif¬ 
ferent qualities. There are an infinity of nitrous, sul¬ 
phureous, vitriolic, and alluminous mineral waters, some 
of which spring out so hot, that in a short time any kind 
of fruit or animal food is boiled in them. There are al¬ 
so petrifying waters, with which they make little white 
smooth stones, not displeasing to the taste; scrapings 
from which, taken in broth, or in gruel, made of Indian 


$38 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 


corn, are roost powerful diaphoretics^ and are used with 
remarkable success in various kinds of fevers. 

ZOOLOGY. 

Of the quadrupeds, some are ancient, and some arc 
modern. Those are called modern, which were trans¬ 
ported from the Canaries and Europe into that country 
in the sixteenth century. Such are horses, asses, bulls, 
sheep, goats, hogs, dogs and cats, which have all multi¬ 
plied. Of the ancient quadrupeds, by which is meant 
those that from time immemorial have been in that coun¬ 
try, some are common to both the continents of Europe 
and America, some peculiar to the new world, others 
natives only of the kingdom of Mexico. The ancient 
quadrupeds common to Mexico and the old continents 
are, tigers, wild cats, bears, wolves, foxes, the common 
stags and white stags, bucks, wild goats, badgers, pole¬ 
cats, weasels, martins, squirrels, rabbits, hares, otters 
and rats. 

Their prodigious number of birds, their variety, and 
many valuable qualities, have occasioned some authors 
to observe, that, as Africa is the country of beasts, so 
Mexico is the country of birds. It is said there are two 
hundred species peculiar to that kingdom ; some of w'hich 
are valuable on account of their flesh, some for their plu¬ 
mage, and some for their song; while others engage 
our attention by their extraordinary instinct or some 
other remarkable quality. Of birds which afford a whole¬ 
some and agreeable food, there are more than 70 species. 
There are 35 species of Mexican birds that are superla¬ 
tively beautiful. The talking birds, or those which imi¬ 
tate the human voice, are to be found in equal abundance 
in this country ; of these, the parrot holds the first place. 

MINERALOGY. 

The mountains of Mexico abound in ores of every 
kind of metal, and a great variety of fossils. The Mexi¬ 
cans found gold in various parts of their country. They 
gathered this precious metal chiefly in grains among the 
sand of the river. Silver w'as dug out of the mines of 
Ilachco, and others; but it w'as not so much prized by 


OF MEXICO. 


239 


them as it is by other nations. Since the conquest, so 
many silver mines have been discovered in that country, 
especially in the provinces which are to the northwest of 
the capital, that it is quite impossible to enumerate therh. 
There are entire mountains of loadstone, and among 
others one very considerable, between Tcoiltylan and 
Chilapan, in the country of the Cohuixcas. 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

THIS division of the new continent extends, from the 
mountainous boundary between the provinces of Vera- 
gua and Panama, the latter province belonging to South 
America. But the land afterwards ascending consider¬ 
ably further to the north, the length must be computed 
from about 12 degrees of north latitude to 54 degrees 
south latitude and yet further, if the Terra del Fuego be 
comprised. The length is at least sixty-six degrees, or 
3960 geographical miles; while the breadth, is about 2880 
geographical miles. 

The original population of this large portion of the 
earth remains obscure, but has, in all probability, been 
from Asia: because the sources of population of the two 
continents seem to have been the same. Indeed, many 
striking affinities between the languages of the Peruvians, 
Chilese, Brazilians, and other nations of South America, 
and the languages of the Asiatics, have been pointed 
out. 

DIVISIONS. 

South America, like Africa, is an extensive peninsula 
connected with North America by the isthmus of Da¬ 
rien, and divided between Spain, Portugal, France, Hol¬ 
land, and the Aborigines. 




240 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


The Spanish possessions are Terra Firma, Peru, Chi¬ 
li, and Paragua or La Plata. 

EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES. 

Terra Firma is in length 1400 miles, and in breadth 
700; situated between the Equator and 12 degrees north 
latitude, and between 60 degrees and 80 degrees west 
longitude. It is bounded on the north, by the Atlantic 
ocean; east, by the same ocean and Surinam; west, by 
the Pacific ocean; and south, by Amazonia and Peru. 

Peru is in length 1800 miles, and in breadth 500; si¬ 
tuated between the Equator and 25 degrees south lati¬ 
tude, and 60 degrees and 81 degrees west longitude. It 
is bounded on the north, by Terra Firma; west, by the 
Pacific ocean; south, by Chili; and east, by the moun¬ 
tains called the Andes. 

Chili is in length 1260 miles, and in breadth 580; si¬ 
tuated between 25 degrees and 44 degrees south latitude, 
and between 65 degrees and 85 degrees west longitude. 
It is bounded on the north, by Peru; east, by Paragua; 
south, by Patagonia; and west, by the Pacific ocean. 

Paragua is in length 1500 miles and in breadth 1000; 
situated between 12 degrees and 37 degrees south lati¬ 
tude, and between 50 degrees and 75 degrees west lon¬ 
gitude. It is bounded on the north, by Amazonia; east, 
by Brazil; south, by Patagonia; and west, by Peru and 
Chili. 

GOVERNMENT. 

The Spanish territories are minutely divided into vice¬ 
royalties, audiences, provinces, governments, partidos or 
departments, and missions or parishes, established among 
the savages. The grand divisions are the vice-royalty of 
Buenos Ayres, that of Peru which includes Chili, and 
that of New Granada on the north: the capital of the 
first being Buenos Ayres, of the second Lima, and of 
the third , Bogota or Santa Fi de Bogota, north latitude 
4 degrees. 

POPULATION. 

The general population of the Spanish possessions, 
may be estimated at 9,000,000. 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


241 


MANNERS 4ND CUSTOMS. 

The manners of the Spaniards in South America, 
have been illustrated in many popular books of voyages. 
Among the native nations, the Peruvians are by far the 
most interesting, having in some instances advanced 
nearer to civilization than the Mexicans. The religion 
of the Peruvians was that of love and beneficence ; while 
" the Mexicans seem, in their cruel rites, to have been 
wholly influenced by the fear of malignant deities. An 
excellent writer justly pronounces that the Peruvians had 
advanced far beyond the Mexicans, both in the necessary 
arts of life, and in such as have some title to the name 
of elegant. 

CHIEF TOWNS. 

The chief towns in Spanish South America are Lima 
the metropolis, Buenos Ayres, and Bogota. Lima was 
founded by Pizarro who called it the Ciudad de los Reyes, 
probably because the foundation was laid on the 6th Ja¬ 
nuary, the festival of the three kings. It is supposed to 
contain 54,000 inhabitants. The situation is in a plea¬ 
sant and spacious vale near a small river. The great 
square contains the viceroy’s palace, and the cathedral. 
The streets are generally paved, and enlivened w ith little 
canals led from the river; *but the houses are low on ac¬ 
count of the frequent earthquakes. The churches and 
convents are rich and numerous, and there is an univer¬ 
sity of some reputation. The most dreadful earthquake 
seems to have been that of 1747, when the port of Callao 
was totally submerged, and of 4000 inhabitants only 200 
escaped. 

Buenos Jyres was founded in 1535, receiving its name 
from the salubrity of the air. d’he population is supposed 
to be about 33,000. It is the great resort of passengers 
from Spain, who thence cross the country by Cordova 
and Tucuman to Potosi, there being an uninterrupted 
post-road, with post-h.ouses, and relays of horses and car¬ 
riages, across the country of Peru. 

Bogota is rarely visited by travellers, and little is 
known except its position on a stream, which joins the 
river Magdalena. 


X 


242 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


Of the other chief towns Carthagena contains 25,000 
souls; andabout the same number; Poflayan 
20,000; Quito 50,000; Riobamba and Guayaquil about 
13,000 each; and Cuenza about 26,000. 

MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. 

The manuhictures of Spanish South America are in¬ 
considerable, being chiefly coarse woollen cloths for the 
Indians and negroes, some cottons, hats, drinking- 
glasses, See. 

Among the imports are sugar, cotton, cocoa, Peru¬ 
vian bark and Vicuna wood. But the chief exports are 
from the mines, of which the following statements are 
given by Helms: from the official registers it appears 
that the coinage, in Spanish South America, from the 
1st January to the 31st December, 1790, amounted in 
gold to 1,842,768, and in silver to 8,470,379 piasters. 

ZOOLOGY. 

A singular circumstance in the zoology is the great 
abundance of horses and cattle, though originally un¬ 
known in the new continent. The cattle are so nume¬ 
rous that they are hunted merely on account of their 
hides, the standard length of which is three ells. Horses 
are also very numerous; and mules being indispensable 
in the alpine countries, where they cannot be reared, 
about 80,000 are annually sent from the plains of Para- 
gua to Peru. Flocks of European sheep also abound. 
Among the ferocious animals are distinguished, those 
called by Buffon, the jaguar, by other writers, the tiger; 
and the cougar, by some called, the American lion: other 
animals are the wild cat, the elk, the huanaco or guanaca, 
the ant-bear, Stc. A species, of ostrich is also found in 
the wide plains of Paragua. 

BOTANY. 

The botany of the Spanish territories east of the An¬ 
des, is yet wliolly unknown; it is only therefore from 
analogy that we imagine the vegetables of these exten¬ 
sive countries, to resemble those which are natives of 
Guiana and Brasil. The vicinity of the coast produces 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


O /♦ n 

many of the tropical fruits and vegetables, such as the 
cabbage palm, the cocoa nut, the chocolate nut, the cot¬ 
ton shrub, the pine apple, the conna, ainomum, turmeric, 
plantain, and sugar cane; perhaps the best known and 
most generally interesting of the trees are the several 
species of cinchona, from two of which at least tliat va¬ 
luable medicine, the Peruvian and Jesuits’ bark is ])ro- 
cured. The large flower jasmine and datiii-a arborea 
diffuse their evening fragrance round the neighbourhood 
of Lima. Not less than twenty-four species of pepper, 
and five or six of capsicun are reckoned among the Pe¬ 
ruvian natives. Besides several esculent kinds of sola- 
num, the tobacco and jalap abound in the groves at the 
feet of the Andes, and many of the ornamental Bowers 
of the English gardens and green-houses; of which seve¬ 
ral are indebted to these countries for their origin. 

MINERALOGY. 

The mineralogy of these extensive regions is univer¬ 
sally celebrated as the most important in the world. I'he 
department of Popayan abounds in mines of native gold. 
There are also several mines in tlie noted district of Cho- 
co. Gold is also found in the sand of many rivers that 
flow into the Maranon. The celebrated mountain of Po- 
tosi has presented for two centuries and a half inexhaust¬ 
ible treasures of silver: this mountain, of a conic form, 
is about 20 British miles in circumference, and perfo¬ 
rated by more than 300 rude shafts, through a firm yel¬ 
low argillaceous schistus. This wonder of nature rises 
void of all vegetation, and is blasted by numerous fur¬ 
naces, which in the night form a grand spectacle. There 
is also a celebrated mine of mercury. Tar is found at 
Chayanza and Paria; and there are also several mines 
of copper and lead. 

NATURAL CURIOSITIES. 

The natural curiosities of all descriptions are nume¬ 
rous and grand. The Andes constitute one of the grand-- 
est objects in natural geography, being not only the most 
lofty on the face of the globe, but intermixed with volca¬ 
noes of the most sublime and terrible description; the 


244 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


extent is also prodigious, stretching in one line a space 
of not less than 4600 miles, and the highest of these tre¬ 
mendous works of nature is computed at 20,280 feet 
above the level of the sea, the summit of w'hich is cover¬ 
ed with perpetual snow. Among the numerous cata¬ 
racts Bouguer mentions that of the river Bogota, which 
passes the city of the same name; also Santa Fe, about 
eight leagues before it joins the Magdalena, said to be 
a vertical fall of more than 12,000 feet. 


PORTUGUESE DOMINIONS. 

The dominions in South America held by the small 
kingdom of Portugal, extend from the frontier of Dutch 
Guiana latitude 3 degrees north, to Port St. Pedro south 
latitude 32 degrees, being nearly 2100 geographical miles, 
and the breadth from cape St. Roque to the furthest Por¬ 
tuguese settlement on the river of Amazons, equals, if 
not exceeds, that extent. 

Brazil derived its name from the wood so called, it is 
now divided into eight independent governments, besides 
that Rio de Janeiro, of which alone the governor retains 
the style of viceroy of the Brazils; the discovery and 
impiovcment of the gold and diamond mines, about 100 
leagues to the NW. having secured to Janeiro a decided 
preponderance; but all the provinces are growing fast 
into opulence and importance. They manufactured of 
late several of the most necessary articles for their own 
consumption; and their produce was so considerable that 
the balance of trade began to be already in their favour; 
and remittances of bullion were made to them from Eu¬ 
rope, in yeturn for the overplus of their exports beyond 
their imports. The population of this large portion of 
America has not been accurately detailed, but the Por¬ 
tuguese and their descendants may be estimated at about 
half a million, and the natives to between two and three 
millions. The diamond mines belong exclusively to the 
crown, and one-fifth of the gold is exacted; there are 



V SOUTH AMERICA. 


245 


also numerous taxes and impositions which instead of 
enlarging the revenue, are the grand causes of its dimi¬ 
nution: and the expenses of government consume about 
one-third of the 4,600,000 dollars, which Brazil is sup¬ 
posed to yield to Portugal. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

The European settlers are in general gay and fond of 
pleasure, yet extremely observant of the ceremonies of *- 
religion. The convents and monasteries are vei’y nu¬ 
merous. The indigenes are said to be irreclaimable sa¬ 
vages, under the middle size, mascular but active, and 
chiefly subsist apart on the coast, between Janeiro and 
San Salvador. Their language has not been investi¬ 
gated by the incurious Portuguese, who seem destined 
by nature to evince that even European nations may be 
found destitute of knowledge and intelligence. 

CHIEF TOWNS. 

The harbour of Rio Janeiro is capacious and excellent, 
and surrounded by a fertile country; on the west is the 
city of Si, Seba&tia?i^ commonly called F.io de Janeiro^ 
built on a tongue of land, the hills and rocks behind be¬ 
ing crowned with woods, convents, houses, and churches. 
The streets are generally straight and well paved. Wa¬ 
ter is supplied by an aqueduct, on the Roman plan: yet 
there is no river of any note. The shops are full of 
English goods and prints. The situation of this beauti¬ 
ful city is said to be unhealthy, owing to the exhalations 
from the primitive inland forests. 

MINERALOGY. 

The celebrated mines of Brazil are situated in the 
mountains which gave source to many streams, that 
flow north and south, into the river Eocantin on one side, 
and the Parana on the other. The diamond mines are 
near the little river Milhoverse; this singular substance 
is not known to be produced in any other part of the 
world except Hindostan; but the diamonds of Brazil are 
not of so fine a water, being of a brownish obscure hue. 

X2 


246 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


BOTANY. 

The esculent plants are such as are common to all the 
tropical regions of America, among which may be dis¬ 
tinguished the plantain, the banana, the cocoa nut, the 
chocolate nut, the yam, potatoe, casava, together with 
numerous species of melons and gourds. Of fruits the 
number is scarcely to be reckoned; the principal how¬ 
ever of these are, the pine apple, the mango, and the 
tLimaiind. The warm aromatic plants that are found 
here in a truly indigenous state are, the ginger, the tur- 
merie, several species of pepper, American colfee, and 
the wild cinnamon. Several medical plants of high es¬ 
timation, though not peculiar to Brazil, yet grow here 
spontaneously and in abundance. Woods, for ornamen¬ 
tal cabinet work, or for the use of dyers, might be pro¬ 
cured in equal perfection and variety from Brazil, such 
are the logwood, fustic, mahogany, ebony, Brazil wood, 
rose wood, sattin wood, and a multitude of others. The 
few of the ornamental plants that are known compose a 
most promising sample of the hidden treasures of this 
delightful country. 


FRENCH DOMINIONS. 

The French settlements in Guiana were first formed 
about the year 1635, and extend from the mouth of a small 
river called Amano west, to another called Aracura east, 
though recently the limit was attempted to be extended 
at the expense of the Portuguese, to the estuary of the 
Amazon, on the south, the line seems arbitrary, but the 
whole extent does not exceed 350 British miles in length, 
by 240 in breadth. The chief town is on a small isle 
called Cayano, whence the whole territory is commonly 
styled Cayenne. The soil and climate in general are un¬ 
exceptionable ; but the ill chosen situation of the town 
in a swampy isle, its disadvantages have been laxly as- 
scribed to the whole possession. The town contains 
about 1200 white inhabitants, exclusive of the garrison. 



SOUTH AMERICA. 


247 


This colony seems to have been always neglected by the 
parent country; and the inland parts remain obstructed 
by thick forests and underwood; and during the rains 
many parts are inundated. The dry season is from 
June till October, and the heaviest rains in our winter 
months. The Cayenne pepper is a noted product of 
this country. Other products are sugar, cocoa, vanilla, 
and indigo. 


DUTCH DOMINIONS. 

THE Dutch possessions in Guiana commenced in 1663 ; 
but four years afterwards they were expelled by the Eng¬ 
lish, whose descendants from a part of the colony, re¬ 
sumed by the Dutch in 1676. Dutch Guiana is to the 
north-west of the French settlement, and is often called 
Surinam from a river of that name on which the capital 
is situated. The length south-east to north-west is about 
350 British miles, along the shores of the Atlantic; but 
the breadth only 160. The chief towns are Paramaribo, 
on the west bank of the Surinam, also called the Zee- 
land river, and New Middleburg near the north-west 
extremity of the colony: Demerara is a settlement on a 
river of that name. The white inhabitants of the capi¬ 
tal are computed at 1800. 

The largest river is the Esquivo north-west which re¬ 
ceives the short stream of the Demarara. The Berbiz 
and Coreiitin are also considerable rivers. The restrict¬ 
ed nature of this work will only admit a few brief hints. 
The wet and dry seasons alternate, each for three months. 
No mines have been discovered by the Dutch, who al¬ 
ways prefer certain returns; and are far from being in 
sufficient force to contest the inland parts with the sava¬ 
ges, and Spaniards. Yet from the river Esquivo there 
is no difficult access to the lake of Parima, the fatal ob¬ 
ject of the wishes of Sir Walter Ralegh. Bancroft con¬ 
fesses that they never penetrate even the lower forests. 
The silk cotton tree is often twelve feet in circumference 
and hollowed into canoes of considerable burden. 


348 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


The lauba is a peculiar amphibious animal, but of 
small size, and what is called the tiger is of a greyish 
brown, variegated with black longitudinal stripes from 
head to tail: our author adds that they are somewhat 
less than those of Africa; but the course of the stripes 
indicates a different species. One snake is described 
thirty-three feet in length, and three feet in circumfer¬ 
ence. The natives are of a reddish brown or copper co¬ 
lour, like the other American tribes. Those tovrards 
the coast are Caribbees, who being called in as auxilia¬ 
ries to suppress a negro revolt, devoured the bodies of 
the slain. Our benevolent philosophers, who argue against 
the existence of cannibals, might as well deny the exist¬ 
ence of savages; but nothing is more absurd than a wise 
theory of human aifairs, which are neither wise nor the¬ 
oretical. The Worros are another maritime tribe; but 
the Arrowaks are the most distinguished by elegance of 
form, and mildness of disposition. They believe in a 
supreme deity, and inferior malign spirits, called Yawa- 
hoos. The priests or magicians are styled Peiis, the 
distinction being hereditary. 

BOTANY. 

There are more materials for the botany of Guiana 
collected by the French, Dutch, and English settlers, 
than for that of any other part of S. America; and in 
consequence of the swampy soil and moist atmosphere of 
this region, it presents a vigour and wild exuberance of 
vegetation, perhaps without parallel. All the usual tro¬ 
pical productions, except those that delight in dry and 
sandy tracts, are found here in full perfection; the 
names and qualities of these however we shall not again 
repeat, but proceed to the notice of those which are more 
properly characteristic. 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


249 


ABORIGINAL TRIBES. 

Some account of the Peruvians has already been given, 
and the names of the savage tribes of South America 
are so numerous, that they might be counted by hun¬ 
dreds. Nor has any classification yet taken place accord¬ 
ing to languages ; when probably these numerous fami¬ 
lies might be reduced to five or six denominations, as 
has been recently effected in arranging the tribes of Si¬ 
beria. It was believed that Guiana contained a consi¬ 
derable nation, with cities and towns; but on the con¬ 
trary, it is divided among numerous tribes, among which 
are many of the Caribs or Caribbees, the most ferocious 
of savages. The nations so marked in the map of La 
Cruz, are distinguished from the strolling families, but 
are merely tribes from two to five thousand souls. Of 
the indigenes of Darien a minute account has been given 
by Wafer, and of the Caribs by Edwards, of the Te- 
heuls or Pa.tagonians by Falkner. A German mission¬ 
ary, who resided twenty-two years in Paraguay has pub¬ 
lished curious details concerning the Abipons, whom he 
calls a warlike nation, but who only constitute a tribe of 
about five thousand, on the Rio Crande, which joins the 
Paraguay near its union with the Parana. 

ylbijwns. The Abipons being less known to the Eng¬ 
lish reader, some account of them may be selected. 
They are rather a warlike race, and by a novelty in 
American manners chiefly cavalry, securing and taming 
the wild horses introduced by the Spaniards ; and in the 
same quarter the Mocobs, Tobas, and Aucas are also 
warlike and independent tribes. In this part of Ameri¬ 
ca greater fairness of complexion seems to prevail, than 
in the exterior provinces ; and the women approach the 
tint of Europeans. The Abipons were anciently named 
Callegaes by the Spaniards on account of their singular 
practice of eradicating the hair over their foreheads, so 
as to produce the appearance of baldness; but their fea¬ 
tures resemble the European, and the nose is commonly 


250 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


of an aquiline form. They carefully eradicate the beard, 
originally small; and mark their foreheads and temples 
M'ith particular scars, by u’ay of ornament. The males 
are accustomed from childhood to the use of the bow. 
Hunger alone dictates the time to eat; and they consume 
vast quantities of animal food. Personal cleanliness is 
preserved by frequent bathing in the lakes and rivers. 

The extremities of South America, towards the strait 
of Magalhaer.s, may, as already mentioned, be regarded 
as independent. "J’owards the east are vast saline plains, 
called by the Spaniards Commarca Desierta, or the de¬ 
sert territory, whence the desert of Commarca in our 
maps. The natives of this region are described by 
Falkner, who says that a cazik, of the Puelches or Pata¬ 
gonians, with v/hom he v/as acquainted, was seven feet 
and some inches in height. 

Jlraucanos* The Moluches form another nation or 
tribe called by the Spaniards Araucanos. The Puelches, 
by his account, are divided into three or four tribes, the 
most southern being the Tehuels, extending on the east 
to the strait; as the Huilliches, a tribe of the Moluches, 
do on the west. The Tehuels are the proper Patago¬ 
nians, and may be called the Tatars of South America; 
being wandering v/arriors, but courteous and humane. 
The dead among the Moluches are buried in square pits, 
in a sitting posture, with their weapons and drinking 
utensils; and an old matron annually opens the grave to 
cleanse and clothe the skeletons. ' Around are those of 
the slain horses, supported with props. The Tehuels, 
after having dried the bones of their dead, transport 
them to the desert on the sea coast, where they are 
placed in huts or tents, surrounded by the skeletons of 
their horses; but the latter practice must be of compa¬ 
ratively modern date. These tribes have hereditary ca- 
ziks called Elinens or Yas; and they sometimes choose 
an Apo, or commander in chief, whence they are more 
formidable to the Spaniards than the northern tribes. 

Patagonia, The wives are sometimes bought very 
young, at the price of beads, cascabels, (or little hawks’ 
bells) garments, or horses; and polygamy is common. 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


251 


According to our author, the language of the Moluches 
is more copious and elegant than could have been ex¬ 
pected, the verbs having three numbers, and as many 
tenses as the Greek. The maps published by our au¬ 
thor are certainly erroneous, and bear little resemblance 
.to that of La Cruz, except in the position of the tribes; 
but it appears from Dobrizhoffer that the author, Thomas 
Falconer or Falkner, was a well known missionary in 
South America. The singular aspect of Patagonia, de¬ 
lineated with innumerable streams ending in little lakes, 
may well appear (without the assistance of La Cruz, who 
has only represented four of that kind,) as foreign to the 
course of nature. Yet this country has many singulari¬ 
ties. There is an immense tract of territory impreg¬ 
nated with nitre, about 600 miles in length and 150 wide 
on the south and west of the river Parana, and even to 
the junction of the Paraguay, all the springs and rivulets 
being more or less saline. No productive mines have 
yet been discovered, except some of silver, near Mendo¬ 
za, at the bottom of the Andes. “ The rivers that wash 
this country all come from the high mountains of Yacan- 
to, or Sacanto, Champachin, and Achala on the west of 
Cordova, which are little inferior in height to the Andes 
of Chili, and are kind of branches of those of Peru.’* 
That part of the Andes which lies west of Mendoza is 
of avast height, and always covered with snow; and 
there are numerous volcanoes in the southern part of the 
Andes, as that of St. Clement, latitude forty-six degrees, 
and others in a continued progress to latitude thirty-one 
degrees. The Casuhati is a high chain of mountains, 
part of a triangle, one side extending to the iVndes, ano¬ 
ther to ihe strait of Magalhaens. 


ISLANDS BELONGING TO SOUTH AMERICA. 

Juan Fernandez, These shall be traced from the west 
towards the east. The desert isles of Galapagos and 
that of St. Felix are of no consequence. The isle of 
Juan Fernandez, so called from the first discoverer, is 



252 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


only about four leagues in length, with an anchoring 
place on the northern coast, which is diversified with 
many beautiful kinds of trees. The southern part is 
precipitous and barren; but there are some hills of a 
red earth approaching to vermillion. Many antiscor¬ 
butic plants are found on Juan Fernandez, which is cele¬ 
brated in the voyage of Anson. 

There are two remarkable archipelagos towards the 
southern extremity of this continent. That styled the 
. gulf of Chonos, or the archipelago of Guaytecas; and 
that called the gulf of the Holy Trinity, or the archipe¬ 
lago of Toledo. 

Chiloe. The most remarkable isle in the former is 
that of Chiloe, about 140 British miles in length by 30 in 
in breadth, but almost divided in the middle by bays or 
creeks. The chief harbour is Chacao on the north, and 
at Calbuco there is a corrigidor, nominated by the pre¬ 
sident of Chili: there are also two monasteries and a 
church. The isle of Chiloe is said to be well peopled 
with Spaniards, mulattoes, and converted savages. In 
the second archipelago, which approaches the antarctic 
frosts, is the island of St. Martin, in which there seem 
to be some Spanish settlements or factories; and not far 
to the south begins that broken series of wintry islands, 
called the Terra del Fuego, from two or more volcanoes, 
which vomit flames amidst the dreary wastes of ice. 

Terra del Fuego, In the map of La Cruz the Terra 
del Fuego is divided by narrow straits into eleven islands 
of considerable size. In their zeal for natural history. 
Sir Joseph Banks and Doctor Solaiider had nearly pe¬ 
rished amidst the snows of this horrible land; but they 
found a considerable variety of plants. I'he natives are 
of a middle stcUure, with broad flat faces, high cheeks, 
and flat noses, and they are clothed in the skins of seals. 
The villages consist of niiserable huts in the form of a 
sugar-loaf: and the only food seems to be shell flsh. 
This dreary region is not however so completely op¬ 
pressed by winter, as has by some been imagined, the 
vales being often verdant, and enlivened with brooks, 
while a iev»' trees adorn the sides of the hills. I’he isle 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


253 


called Statenland is divided from the Terra del Fue^o 
by the strait of Le Maire. Here also Captain Cook ob¬ 
served wood and verdure. So much more severe is the 
cold in the antarctic region, that these countries only in 
latitude 55 degrees, or that of the north of England, are 
more frozen than Lapland, in lat. 70 degrees. 

Falkland isle^ or Maloums, To the north-east are the 
• islands called Falkland by the English, but by the French 
Malouins, from the people of St. Maloes whom they es¬ 
teem the first discoverers. In 1763 the French having 
lost Canada, turned their attention towards these islands, 
as an American settlement in another quarter; and the 
account of Bougainville’s voyage for that purpose, pub¬ 
lished by Pernety, contains ample details concerning 
these islands. There are two of considerable size, each 
about forty miles square. The soil and climate do not 
appear to be laudable, but there is a considerable variety 
of fowls and fish; and the plants seem somewhat to re¬ 
semble those of Canada. The walruss, and' other ani¬ 
mals of the seal kind, frequent the shores. In 1764 
Commodore Byron was sent to take possession of these 
islands, which were undoubtedly first discovered by the 
English; and a little establishment was made at a place 
called Port Egmont, but being found of little or no va¬ 
lue they were in a few years ceded to Spain. The soil 
is marshy, and even in summer there are perpetual 
storms: and the Spaniards seem only to retain a small 
factory on the north. 

Georgia, In this department may also be arranged, 
an island of considerable size to the south-east of the 
Falkland islands, discovered by La Roche in 1675, and 
afterwards named Georgia by Captain Cook, who ex¬ 
plored it with some attention in 1775. It may be called 
j a land of ice, presenting rocks and mountains of that 
1 substance, while the vales, destitute of trees or shrubs, 
( are clothed with eternal snow; the only vegetables being 
1 a coarse species of grass burnets, and lichens. The 
I rocks are of blackish horizontal slate, perhaps approach- 
i ing to hornblende. The lark, a hardy and universal 
: bird, appears here as well as at Hudson’s Bay, and there 



254 


BRITISH POSSESSIONS 


are numbers of large penguins and seals. Still further 
to the south-east are, if possible, more dreary lands, 
more properly styled the southern Thule, than the Sand¬ 
wich islands, a name already bestowed on a very differ¬ 
ent country. These islands may be styled the southern 
throne of winter, being a mass of black rocks covered 
w ith ice and snow. 

Among the few islands to the east of South America, 
may be mentioned that of Ascension or Trinidada, and 
that of Ferdinando Noronha; that of Saremburg may 
also be regarded as an American isle, while Tristan da 
Cunha rather belongs to Africa. 


BRITISH POSSESSIONS IN NORTH 
AMERICA. 

THOSE parts of North America which still belong to 
Great Britain are extensive and of considerable import¬ 
ance, though so thinly peopled, and in such disadvan¬ 
tageous climate, that they sunk into insignificance, when 
compared with the great flourishing colony belonging to 
Spain, or with the territories of the United States. 

DIVISIONS. 

The chief of these possessions is Canada, now divided 
into two provinces, called Upper and Low^er Canada, 
the former being the western division, on the north of 
tl)e great lake or sea of Canada; while the lower division 
is on the river St. Lawrence tow^ards the east, and con¬ 
tains Quebec the capital, and the chief city of our re¬ 
maining settlements. 

Cn the east of Canada, to the south of the river St. 
Lawrence is Nova-Scotia; wdiich in 1784 was divided 
into two provinces that of Nova-Scotia in the south, and 
Nev/ Brunswick in the north. 





IN NORTH AMERICA. 


255 


What is called New Britain comprehends the most 
northern parts towards Hudson’s Bay, and the coast of 
Labrador. The large island of Newfoundland; that 
called Cape Breton; and the neighbouring isle St. John, 
complete the chief denominations of British territory. 

Canada extends from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and 
isle of Anticosti in the east, to the lake of M'innipeg in 
the west, or from longitude 64 degrees to 97 degrees 
west from London, that is, from longitude 11 degrees 
east, 22 degrees west from Philadelphia; being 33 de¬ 
grees, which in that latitude may be about 1200 geogra¬ 
phical miles: the breadth from lake Erie in the south, 
or latitude 43 degrees, may extend to latitude 49 degrees 
or 360 geographical miles; but the medial breadth is not 
above 200 miles. 

The first settlement was made by the French at Que¬ 
bec in 1608. During a century and a half that the French 
possessed Canada they made many discoveries to wards 
the west; and Lahontan in the end of the seventeenth 
century, has given a tolerable account of some lakes be¬ 
yond that called Superior, and of the river Missouri. 
Quebec being conquered by Wolfe, 1759, Canada was 
ceded to Great Britain by the treaty of Paris 1763. 

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

The manners and customs of the settlers in Canada 
are considerably tinctured with the French gaiety and 
urbanity, blended with the usual portion of vanity, which 
is however a far more laudable quality than avarice, which 
is destructive of every generous motive and noble exer¬ 
tion. The French women in Canada can generally read 
and write, and are thus superior to the men; but both 
are sunk in ignorance and superstition, and blindly de¬ 
voted to their priests. 

CHIEF TOWNS. ' 

The principal town is Quebec, built on a lofty point 
of land on the northwest side of the great river St. Law¬ 
rence, which in the neighbourhood is sutficiently deep 
and spacious to float more than 100 sail of the line. 


256 


BRITISH POSSESSIONS 


Tlie upper town on a rock of lime stone is of consider¬ 
able natural strength, and well fortified, but the lower 
town tow^ards the river is open to every attack. 

The inhabitants are supposed to be 10,000, about two 
thirds being French, and the presence of the governor, 
courts, and garrison, conspire to render it gay and lively. 
The lower town is mostly inhabited by traders and mari¬ 
ners. The houses are commonly of stone, small, ugly, 
and inconvenient; but the new part of the governor’s 
house, for there is no citadel, is upon an improved plan. 
The monasteries are almost extinct; yet there are three 
nunneries. The market is well supplied; and the little 
carts are often drawn by dogs. The vicinity presents 
most sublime and beautiful scenery; and the falls of the 
river Montmorenci are particularly celebrated. 

Mcrdrcal is a neat torvn, on the east side of a consi¬ 
derable island, formed by the river St. Lawu’ence at its 
junction with the river Utawas, which is the boundary 
between Lower and Upper Canada, about 150 miles 
above Quebec. This is the utmost point to which ships 
can ascend from the sea; but several of the burden of 
400 tons reach Montreal by a tedious and difficult navi¬ 
gation. This town contains about twelve hundredJiouses, 
and probably six thousand souls; with six churches, four 
of w hich are Roman Catholic, and four convents. The 
chief trade is in furs, w'hich are thence sent to Canada 
for England. The North-West company consists of mer¬ 
chants of Montreal. The canoes are chielly employed on 
the Utawas, whence the fur traders proceed across to 
lake Winnipeg. Mr. Mackenzie was a partner in the 
North-West Company, which has considerably lessened 
the trade of that of Hudson’s Bay. La Prairie is a vil¬ 
lage on the opposite side of the river to Montreal. 

MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. 

The principal exports are furs and peltries, wdth some 
fish, pot-ash, and American ginseng. The imports are 
spirits, wines, tobacco, sugar, salt, and provisions for the 
troops. Except some linen, and coarse woollen cloths, 
manufactured articles are chielly imported from England. 


IN NORTH AMERICA, 


257 


NEW BRUNSWICK. 

The ancient province of Nova Scotia was granted by 
James I, to his secretary Sir William Alexander, after- 
W'ards earl of Stirling; and the origin of the title of ba¬ 
ronets of Nova Scotia is well known. It was afterwards 
seized by the French, who seem indeed to have been the 
first possessors, and by whom it was called Acadie; but 
it was surrendered to England by the treaty of Utrecht 
1713. In 1784, as already stated, it was divided into 
two provinces. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. In the 
former there are two considerable bays, and a river of 
some length, called St. John’s; v/hile that of St. Croix 
divides New Brunswick from the District of Maine, be¬ 
longing to the United States. The river of St. John is 
navigable for vessels of fifty tons, about sixty miles; and 
for boats about two hundred; the tide flowing about 
eighty. The fish are salmon, bass, and sturgeon; and 
the banks, enriched by the annual freshets, are often fer¬ 
tile, level, and covered with large trees. This river af¬ 
fords a common and near route to Quebec. There are 
many lakes, among which the Grand Lake is thirty miles 
long, and about nine broad. The great chain of Apala- 
chian mountains passes on the northwest of this province 
probably expiring at the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The ca¬ 
pital is Freclericktown on the river St. John, about ninety 
miles from its estuary. St. Ann's is almost opposite, and 
there are some other settlements near the bay of Fundi, 
with a fort called Howe. There is a tribe of savages 
called the Marechites, estimated at 140 fighting men. 
The chief products are timber and fish. 


NOVA SCOTIA. 

This province is about 300 miles in length, by about 
eighty of medial breadth, being inferior in size to New 
Brunswick. There are several considerable rivers, among 

Y2 




258 


BRITISH POSSESSIONS 


which, that of Annapolis is navigable fifteen miles, for 
ships of 100 tons. The bay of Fundi, between New 
Brunswick and Nova Scotia, extends fifty leagues inland, 
the ebb and flowing of the tide being from forty-five to 
sixty feet. 

The capital is Halifax^ on the bay of Chebucto, well 
situated for the fishery, with communications by land and 
water, with other parts of this province, and New Bruns¬ 
wick. There is a good harbour, where a small squad¬ 
ron of ships of war, employed in protecting the fishing 
vessels, is laid up in the winter. The town is entrench¬ 
ed, with forts of timber, and is said to contain fifteen or 
sixteen thousand inhabitants, a superior population to 
that of Quebec. Shelburn, towards the south-west, once 
contained 600 families: Guisberry about 250. The har¬ 
bour of Annapolis is excellent; but it is an inconsider¬ 
able 'hamlet. During a great part of the year the air is 
foggy and unhealthy; and for four or five months in¬ 
tensely cold. There are many forests, and the soil is 
generally thin and barren, though fertile on the banks of 
the rivers, in grass, hemp and flax; but supplies of grain 
are sent from England. The Micmacs, an Indian tribe 
of about 300 fighters, dwell to the east of Halifax. 
Britain sends to these provinces linen and woollen cloths, 
and other articles to the amount of about 30,000/. ; and 
receive timber and fish worth about 50,000/. The chief 
fishery is that of Cod on the Cape Sable coast. Near Cape 
Canco there are remarkable cliffs of white gypsum, or 
plaistcr of Paris. About twenty-three leagues from that 
cape, is the Isle de Sable, or of Sand, consisting wholly 
of that valuable substance, mixed with white transparent 
stones, the hills being milk-white cones, and some 146 
feet abhve the sea. This strange isle has ponds of fresh 
water; with junipers, blueberries, and cranberries, and 
some grass and vetches, w'hich serve to support a few 
horses, cows,^and hogs. The bay of Fundi presents an 
infinite variety of picturesque and sublime scenery; and 
the Bore rises to. the height of seventy feet. 


IN NORTH AMERICA, 


259 


ISLAND OF CAPE BRETON. 

This island is attached to the province of Lower Can- 
adaj though divided from Nova Scotia, only by a straight 
of one mile in breadth. It is about a hundred miles in 
length; and according to the French authors was disco¬ 
vered at a very early period, about A. D. 1500, by the 
Normans and Bretons, who navigated these seas; and 
being supposed a part of the continent was called Cape 
Breton, a name absurdly retained. They did not how¬ 
ever take possession of it till 1713, when they erected 
Fort Dauphin: the harbour being found difficult, Louis- 
burg was built in 1720, the settlers being chiefly from 
Europe, as the Acadians, or French of Nova Scotia, did 
not choose to leave that country. In 1735 Cape Breton 
was taken by some troops from New England, and has 
since remained subject to the British crown. The cli¬ 
mate is cold and foggy, not only from the proximity of 
Newfoundland,’’ but from numerous lakes and forests. 
The soil is chiefly mere moss, and has been found unfit 
for agriculture. The chief towns are Sidney and Louis- 
burg, the whole inhabitants of the isle do not exceed 
one'thousand. The fur trade is inconsiderable, but the 
fishery very important, this island being esteemed the 
chief seat; and the value of this trade, while in the 
French possession, was computed at a million sterling. 
There is a very extensive bed of coal in this island, in 
a horizontal direction, not more than six or eight feet 
below the surface; but it has been chiefly used as ballast: 
in one of the pits a fire was kindled by accident, and re¬ 
mains unextinguished. 

The island of S^. John is at no great distance to the 
west of Cape Breton, being about sixty miles in length 
by thirty in breadth, and is attached to the province of 
Nova Scotia. The Frencli inhabitants, about 4000 sur¬ 
rendered with Cape Breton, in 1745. It is said to be 
fertile, with several streams. A lieutenant governor re¬ 
sides at Charlotte town; and the inhabitants of the island 
are computed at five thousand. 



260 


BRITISH POSSESSIONS 


NEWFOUNDLAND. 

This island was discovered by Sebastian Cabot in 1496, 
who also founded the pi ior claim of England to the North 
American shores as far south as Florida. This discovery, 
like that of Columbus and others, was unintentional, the 
design being merely to penetrate to the East Indies. 
Those authors who wonder that no colonies were sent, 
only shew their ignorance of the intentions of the first 
navigators; and at that period there was not one man in 
Europe, who could have formed the smallest idea of the 
benefits of a colony. It was the success of the Spanish 
colonies, allured by gold alone, that, towards the end of 
the sixteenth century, enlarged the ideas of mankind; 
but even then, Raleigh’s transcendent mind held out gold 
to all his followers, as the sole inducement. The island 
of Newfoundland is about 320 miles in length and breadth, 
the shape approaching to a triangle. It seems to be ra¬ 
ther hilly than mountainous, with woods of birch, small 
pine, and fir, yet on the south-west side there are lofty 
head-lands. The country has scarcely been penetrated 
above thirty miles; but there are numerous ponds and 
morasses, vi ith some dry barrens. 

FISHERY. 

The great fishery on the banks of Newfoundland be¬ 
gins about the 10th of May, and continues till the end of 
September. The cod is either dried for the Mediterra¬ 
nean: or what are called mudfish, barrelled up in a pickle 
of salt, for the English market. These banks and the 
island are environed with constant fog,or snow and sleet; 
the former supposed by some to be occasioned by the su¬ 
perior warmth of the Gulf Stream from the West Indies. 
The fishery is computed to yield about 300,000/. a year, 
from the cod sold in the catholic countries. The island of 
Newfoundland, after many disputes with the French, was 
ceded to England 1713, the French having permission 
to dry their nets on the northern shores; and in 1763 it 
was stipulated that they might fish in the Gulf of St. Law- 



IN NORTH AMERICA. 


561 


rence; and the small isles of St. Pierre and Miquelon 
were ceded to them. The French, by the treaty, 1783, 
were to enjoy their fisheries on the northern and west¬ 
ern coasts, the inhabitants of the United States having 
the same privileges as before their independence; and 
the preliminaries of October 1801, confirm the privileges 
granted to the French. 

1 he chief towns are John on the south-east, with 
Placentia in the south, and Bonaxnsta in the east; but 
not above a thousand families remain during the winter. 
In the spring a small squadron is sent to protect the fish¬ 
eries and settlements, the admiral being also governor 
of the island, its sole consequence depending on the fish¬ 
ery; and there are two lieutenant governors, one at St. 
John’s, another at Placentia. 

These dreary shores are strongly contrasted by the 
Bermudas or Sommer islands, lying almost at an equal 
distance between Nova Scotia and the West Indies: but 
as they are nearer to the coast of Carolina, than to any 
other land, it seems more proper to arrange them her« 
than under any other division. 


BERMUDAS OR SOMMER ISLANDS. 

They are four in number, and were discovered by the 
Spaniards under John Bermudas, in 1527, but being af¬ 
terwards neglected by them, they were again disclosed 
by the shipwreck of Sir George Sommer in 1609, which 
event seems to have induced Shakspeare to describe 
them as ever vexed with storms. Of these little islands 
the chief is that called St. George, with a capital town of 
the same name, containing about 500 houses, built of a 
soft free-stone, probably like that of Bath, Eng.; the in¬ 
habitants being about 3000, and those of all the islands 
about 9000. There is a governor, council, and general 
assembly, the religion being that of the church of Eng¬ 
land. The people are chiefly occupied in building light 
ships of their cedars, in which they trade to North Ame- 



262 


UNSUBDUED COUNTRIES 


rica and the West Indies. It would appear that these 
remote isles were uninhabited when settled by the Eng¬ 
lish, but a good history and description of the Bermudas 
might afford a pleasing addition to the geographical li¬ 
brary. Mr. Pvlorse says that the blacks are here twice 
as numerous as the whites; and that a great part of their 
trade consists in carrying salt to America. The women 
are said to be Jiandsome, and both sexes fond of dress, 
which is perhaps more laudable than the opposite extreme. 


UNSUBDUED COUNTRIES. 

Those parts of North America as yet uncivilized, arc 
denominated by the appellations of Greenland.^ Labrador^ 
Jiud&ords Bay^ Central Baj'ts, and Western Coast• 

The discovery of Greenland M^as effected by the peo¬ 
ple of Iceland, in the tenth century: their distance asun¬ 
der, according to the best maps, is not more than 200 
geographical miles, in the 66th degree of north latitude, 
under which, and northward thereof, it is chiefly situated; 
but some reduce it even to 130. 

It is said that the country is inhabited as far as 76 de¬ 
grees, but the Danish and Moravian settlements are 
chiefly in the southwest, though at one time there appears 
to have been a factory as far north as 73 degrees. I'he 
natives have no conception of what we call Baffin’s bay, 
but say that in the north of their country there is a nar¬ 
row strait which divides it from the continent of America. 

This dreary country may be said to consist of rocks, 
ice, and snow; but in the southern parts there are some 
small junipers, willows, and birch. There are rein-deer, 
and some dogs resembling wolves, with arctic foxes, and 
polar bears. Hares are common, and the walruss, and 
five kinds of seals frequent the shores. The birds, par¬ 
ticularly sea and water fowl, are tolerably numerous, as 
are the fish, and the insects exceed ninety. 



IN NORTH AMERICA. 


26S 


LABRADOR. 

This large extent of coast was so named by the Por¬ 
tuguese navigator who made the first discovery. In the 
inland parts there were American savages, and on the 
coasts Iskimos: but the former have mostly retired to 
the south, and even the latter seem gradually to with¬ 
draw: neither people had the ingenuity of the Lapland¬ 
ers. There were here only a few factories, till the Mo¬ 
ravian clergy formed little settlements, particularly at 
Nain, about 1764. So far as discovered, Labrador is 
generally hilly, and even mountainous; but the southern 
parts might be improved, though it would be difficult to 
guard against the white bears and wolves; and cattle 
must be housed for nine months in the year. The east¬ 
ern coast exhibits a most barren and iron bound appear¬ 
ance, the rocky mountains rising suddenly from the sea, 
v.'ith spots of black peat earth, producing stlinted plants. 
Rivers, brooks, lakes, pools, and ponds, are abundant, 
rich in fish, and frequented by innumerable birds. 
Though springs be rare, the waters being mostly dis¬ 
solved snow, yet swelled throats are unknown, though 
frequent in the alpine countries of Europe and Asia. 
The eastern coast also presents thousands of islands, co¬ 
vered with flocks of sea fowl, particularly eider ducks; 
and in the larger isles there are deer, foxes, and hares. 
The fish are, salmon, trout, pike, barbel, eels, and others. 
Inland, the air is milder; there are many trees, and 
some symptoms of fertility. The plants are, wild cele¬ 
ry, scurvy-grass, reddocks, and Indian sallad. There 
are some appearances of iron, and the Iskimos now col¬ 
lect the Labrador spar on the shores of the sea and lakes, 
for the rocks have not been discovered. Perhaps this 
spar was the shining stone brought from Labrador by 
one of our early navigators, as a specimen of gold ore. 
The birds are common to arctic regions, and the animals 
are mostly of the fur kind, in which trade our author 
was engaged. The natives are mountaineers and Iski¬ 
mos, the former resembling gypsies, with somewhat of 



264 


UNSUBDUED COUNTRIES 


French features from a mixture of Canadian blood. 
They live chiefly on rein deer, and also kill foxes, mar¬ 
tins, and beavers. They live in wigwams, a kind of 
tents, covered with deer skin and birch rind, and are a 
sort of Roman Catholics, being anxious to visit the priests 
at Quebec. The Iskimos are the same people with the 
Greenlanders, v/hose manners are minutely described 
by Crantz. -They use sledges drawn by dogs, as in Asia. 
Remains of seals and oily substances have a remarkable 
effect on the ground, so as to produce rich crops of grass 
on spots formerly only sprinkled with heath. 


HUDSON’S BAY. 

The inland sea commonly called Hudson’s Bay was 
explored in 1610; and a charter for planting and im¬ 
proving the country, and carrying on trade, was granted 
to a company in 1670. The Hudson’s Bay Company 
has since retained a claim to most extensive territories, 
on the west, south, and east, of that inland sea, supposed 
to extend from 70 degrees to 115 degrees, and allowing 
the degree only thirty miles, the length will be 1350 geo¬ 
graphical miles, and the medial breadth about 350. 

The annual exports are about 16,000/. sterling; and 
the returns, which yield a considerable revenue to the 
British government, perhaps amount to 30,000/. 

The regions around Hudson’s Bay, and that of Labra¬ 
dor, have by a miserable compliment to the parent coun¬ 
try, been sometimes called New Britain, a name not ad¬ 
mitted in French or English maps. The parts on the 
west of Hudson’s Bay have also been called New North 
and South Wales; while that on the east is styled East 
Main. In the south, James’s Bay stretches inland about 
300 miles by about 150 in breadth; and the most valua¬ 
ble settleinents are in that vicinity, as Albany fort. Moose 
fort, and East Main factory. Further to the south, and 
on the confines of Upper Canada, are Brunswick house, 
Frederick house, and some others, which perhaps belong 



IN NORTH AMERICA. 


26.5 


to the North-West company. In the north, Severn house 
is at the mouth of a large river, 'which seems to flow from 
the lake of Winnipic. York fort stands on Nelson river; 
and still further to the north is Churchill fort, which 
seems the furthest settlement in that direction. To the 
■west the Hudson’s Bay company had extended little fur¬ 
ther than Hudson’s house; while the superior spirit of 
the North-West company has nearly approached the Pa¬ 
cific. 

Even in latitude 57 degrees the winters are extremely 
severe: the ice on the rivers is eight feet thick, and 
brandy coagulates. The rocks burst v/ith a horrible 
noise, equal to that of heavy artillery, and the splinters 
are thrown to an amazing distance. Mock suns, and 
haloes are not unfrequent; and the sun rises and sets 
with a large cone of yellowish light. The Aurora bore¬ 
alis diffuses a variegated splendour, which equals that of 
the full moon; and the stars sparkle with fiery redness. 
The fish in Hudson sea are far from numerous; and the 
whale fishery has been attempted without success. There 
are few shell fish; and the quadrupeds and birds corres¬ 
pond with those of Labrador and Canada. The north¬ 
ern indigenes are Iskimos; but there are other savages 
in the south: and the factories are visited by several 
tribes. 


CENTRAL PARTS. 

In a more immediate view of the central parts of this 
division of the new continent, it must not be forgotten, 
that they are the seats of many native and iinconquered 
tribes, whose manners have been so frequently described 
by a host of travellers, that little needs be said in a work 
I of this limited nature. Their modes of hunting and war- 
fare, their extreme cruelty towards their prisoners, the 
I singularities of scalping, and the use of the calumet are 
i sufficiently known. A m.ore difficult topic would be an 
I enumeration of the various tribes; and a classification 
j according to their languages. 


I 



266 


UNSUBDUED COUNTRIES. 


Five jYations. The five nations of the English writers 
are the Iroquis of the French, being the Mohawks, Oney- 
cloes, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Sennekas; five clans 
joined in an old confederacy of offence and defence. 
To these were joined another tribe called the Tuscororas. 
The Mohawks were on the south of the river so called, 
in the province of New York; wdiile the others extend¬ 
ed towards the lake Ontario. The Hurons were on the 
east of the lake of that name. 

A'atches, But after the Mexicans, the chief tribe in 
North America was that of the Natches, near the mouth 
of the Misissippi, wdiose worship of the sun and other 
peculiarities, have been illustrated by Pratz, Charlevoix, 
and other writers. In a work of more extent, it might 
be proper to describe the manners of this people, of the 
Five Nations, of the Central Tribes, of the Iskimos, and 
of the Western Races on the Pacific. 


WESTERN COxAST. 

The Russians may be regarded as the first discover¬ 
ers of the north-western coast of America. This coast 
seems to be chiefly Alpine, in w'hich respect and in its 
numerous creeks and isles it bears no small resemblance 
to Norway. The natives as described by La Perouse, are 
barbarous, deceitful, and wicked. Their most singular 
practice is the slitting and distending of the underlip, so 
as to beautify the females with two mouths. The inha¬ 
bitants of the more northern regions of this coast appear 
to be Iskimos; and are described of a low stature, w'ith 
round faces, high cheek bones, and black eyes and hair, 
the complexion of a swarthy yellow. Near the Pacific 
the people had grey eyes tinged with red. The men 
w'ear only a robe made of the bark of the cedar tree, 
rendered as fine as hemp, sometimes with borders of 
red and yellow threads. The natives, as described by 
M‘Kenzie, are fairer than in any other parts of North 
America. 



AMERICAN ISLANDS. 


267 


AMERICAN ISLANDS 


OR 

WEST INDIES. 

THESE islands, so important to commerce, are Cuba, 
St. Domingo, Jamaica, and Porto Rico, all of considera¬ 
ble extent; and followed by the distinguished group call¬ 
ed the Antilles, Caribbee, or Leeward islands, but more 
properly by the French, Windward Islands, as being to¬ 
wards the east, the point of the trade wind. To the 
south of this group is Trinidad, a recent English acqui¬ 
sition; to the west of which stretch the Leeward Islands 
of the Spaniards. In the north-east of this grand assem¬ 
blage are the Bahama or Lucayos Islands, narrow and 
barren strips of land, formerly frequented by pirates, till 
subjected to the legal power of England; but chiefly re¬ 
markable as having been the first discovery of Colon. 


CUBA. 

This noble island is not less than 700 miles in length, 
but the medial breadth does not exceed 70. On his first 
voyage, after exploring the Bahama isles. Colon disco¬ 
vered Cuba; but though delighted with the beauty of the 
scenery, and amazed at the luxuriant fertility of the soil, 
he soon abandoned it to proceed to Hayti, afterwards 
called Flispaniola or St. Domingo, where he expected to 
find a greater abundance of gold; which with gems and 
spices, formed the only objects of the early navigators. 
While Hispaniola was selected as a factory to secure the 
acquisition of gold, it was not certainly known whether 
Cuba was an island, or part of the continent, till 1508, 
when it was circumnavigated by Ocampo; and in 151.1 
it was conquered by 300 Spaniards under Velasquez. 



268 


AMERICAN ISLANDS. 


The industry of the Spaniards is far from being pro¬ 
verbial; yet such is the fertility of Cuba, that it may be 
regarded as a most important and flourishing possession. 
The quantity of sugar is considerable; and the tobacco 
is esteemed of a more exquisite flavor than that of any 
other part of America. This with the other large islands, 
were also called the Great Antilles, and they were also 
known by the name Sotavenlo, or the Leeward Islands, 
in contradistinction to the exterior group called Bario- 
vento, or Windward Islands. Havannuy the capital, was 
built in 1519; and was taken in 1669 by Morgan a cele¬ 
brated buccaneer. It again surrendered to the English 
in 1761, and treasures were found of no small amount. 
This extensive island is divided by a chain of mountains 
passing east and west. The rivers are of short course, 
but there are several excellent harbours. Among the 
products must also be reckoned ginger, long pepper, 
mastic, cocoa, manioc, and aloes. There are mines of 
excellent copper, which supply the other Spanish colo¬ 
nies with domestic utensils; and gold is not unknown in 
the rivers. The forests abound with wild cattle and 
swine: and among the trees are ebony and mahogany. 
There is a governor-general; and eighteen jurisdictions 
are governed by distinct magistrates. The natural his¬ 
tory of this large island is very defective, as is the case 
with too many of the Spanish possessions. 


SAINT DOMINGO. 

This island is about 400 miles in length, and 100 in 
breadth. Under the name of Hispaniola it w'as the first 
Spanish settlement in the new world. The French co¬ 
lony derived its origin from a party of buccaneers, mostly 
natives of Normandy, towards the middle of the seven¬ 
teenth century; and the western part was formally ceded 
to 1’'ranee by the treaty of Ryswick. So industrious and 
flourishing was this French colony, that it was termed 
the paradise of the West Indies. The population, in 
1790, amounted to 30,831 whites, and about 480,000 ne- 


AMERICAN ISLANDS. 


269 


l^ro slaves, the mulattoes or free people of colour, bein^ 
supposed to be 24,000. The average exports, before the 
revolution, consisting of sugar, coffee, cotton, indigo, mo¬ 
lasses, taffia, hides, 8cc. amounted to 20,648,884 dollars. 

The national assembly of France passed some contra¬ 
dictory decrees concerning the rights of the mulattoes, 
or as they are affectedly styled, people of colour, to vote 
for representatives. The smallest ray of political pru¬ 
dence might have informed them, that the government 
of distant colonies ought not to have suffered the least 
alteration, till years after that of the parent country was 
established on a solid and lasting basis. After many ab¬ 
surd struggles between the whites and mulattoes, on the 
21st June, 1793, 3000 negro slaves, supported by the 
mulattoes, entered the capital city of Cape Francois, and 
perpetrated an universal massacre of the white men, wo¬ 
men and children; and we are sorry to say that simi¬ 
lar butcheries are daily taking place since, in different 
parts of the island, and are likely to continue till the 
whites are entirely extirpated. The abolition of slavery 
by the in-fatuated commissioners, in order to defend the 
island against the English, has had the effect that might 
have been foreseen, the colony having been lost, at least 
for a season, to European civilization and culture. 


JAMAICA. 

This island was discovered by Colon, 1494, during his 
second voyage, but was little explored till his fourth and 
last voyage, when he was unfortunately confined for many 
months on the north side of this isle, by the loss of his 
ships. The history of Jamaica under the Spanish power 
may be traced in the ample account of Mr. lulwards. In 
1655 it fell into the hands of the English, by Avhose in¬ 
dustry it has become one of the most flourishing of the 
West Indian settlements. In size it is the third island 
in this archipelago, being about 175 British miles in 
length, by 60 in breadth. It is divided into three coun¬ 
ties, Cornwall in the west, Middlesex in the centre, and 

Z 2 



270 


AMERICAN ISLANDS. 


Surry in the east. St, Jago or Sjiaiiish Town is regarded 
as the capital; while Kingston is the chief sea-port. The 
number of negroes is computed at 250,000, the whites 
are probably 20,000, and the free negroes and mulattoes 
10,000. The chief exports are to Great Britain, Ireland, 
and North America, in sugar, rum, coffee, indigo, gin¬ 
ger, and pimento, valued in 1787, at 2,000,000/. The 
intercourse with Honduras, and the Musquito shore, 
may now be regarded as abandoned; but some little 
trade is carried on with Spanish America by small ves¬ 
sels, which elude the vigilance of the guarda costas. The 
imports were computed at 1,500,000, and slaves from 
Africa formed a considerable article. There is a poll 
tax, with duties on negroes and rum, yielding more than 
100,000/. annually; and the ordinary expenses of govern¬ 
ment in 1788, were computed at 75,000/. The legisla¬ 
ture consists of the captain-general or governor ; a coun¬ 
cil of twelve, nominated by the crown; and a house of 
assembly, containing forty-three members, elected by 
the freeholders: the three chief towns, St. Jago, Kings¬ 
ton and Port Royal, returning three members, the other 
parishes two. The principal towns are within a short 
distance of each other, Spanish Towm being inland; while 
Kingston is on the north side, and Port Royal on the west 
of a considerable bay; the last being greatly reduced by 
earthquakes and other calamities. The climate, though 
tempered by the sea breezes, is extremely hot; and the 
days and nights nearly of equal duration. A ridge of 
mountains, from east to Avest, divides the island into two 
parts; and the landscape often boasts of peculiar beau¬ 
ties. In the north the soil is generally a chalky marl, 
producing a close and clean turf, like an English lawn of 
the brightest verdure. Towards the interior are forests,, 
crowned by the blue summits of the central ridge. 


PORTO RICO. 


This isle, w^hich belongs to Spain, is about 120 British 
miles in length, by 40 in breadth. Its size and conse- 


AMERICAN ISLANDS. 


271 


quence are well known to the possessors, being a fertile 
beautiful, and well watered country. The chief trade is 
in sugar, ginger, cotton, hides; with some drugs, fruits, 
and sweetmeats: and the northern part is said to con¬ 
tain mines of gold and silver. Porto Rico was discover¬ 
ed by Colon in 1493 ; and was subjugated by Ponce de 
Leon, the first explorer of Florida, about 1509 . The 
Spanish voyagers and authors, whose imagination mag¬ 
nified every feature of the new world, reported the native 
population at 600,000 ; while perhaps a real enumeration 
might have reduced them to 60 , 000 , if not to 20 , 000 . 


CARIBBEE ISLANDS. 

This range extends from Tobago, in the south, to the 
Virgin islands in the north; and includes Barbadoes, which 
stands rather detached towards the east, being about 
thirty-five degrees from the African islands of Cape Verd. 
The Caribbee islands are of noted fertility and commer¬ 
cial advantage, the chief possessors being the English 
and French. Barbadoes, Antigua, St. Christopher’s 
St. Vincent, Dominica, Grenada, Montserat, Nevis, 
and the Virgin isles, are British; and Barbadoes by far 
the most important, as it is supposed to contain 17,000 
white inhabitants, while the others rarely exceed 2000. 
The French Caribbee islands are Martinique, Guada- 
lotipe, St. Lucie, Tobago, and some islets. The Danes 
possess St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John, which 
belong to the Virgin group: while the Swedes hold St. 
Bartholomew, and the Dutch St. Eustatius. Of the 
whole group, Barbadoes and Guadaloupe appear to be 
the most important; and the last, including Grand Ter¬ 
re and Basse Terre, is the most considerable in size, 
being about sixty Britisii miles in length, by twenty-five 
in breadth. The Caribbee islands in general were dis¬ 
covered by Colon, on his second voyage, when he visit¬ 
ed Dominica, Guadaloupe, and Antigua: but they were 
neglected by the Spaniards, eager in quest of the gold 
of the larger islands. 



272 


AMERICAN ISLANDS. 


JBarhadoes, Barbadoes is said to have been discovered 
by the Portuguese, who having made no settlement, it was 
seized by the English in the reign of James I; and the 
foundation of James Town was laid in 1624 . Though the 
isle be only about twenty miles in length, and thirteen 
in breadth, yet this early English settlement has pros¬ 
pered to a surprising degree, exporting about 10,000 
hogsheads of sugar, and 6000 puncheons of rum, besides 
cotton, ginger, &c. Grenada, and most of the others, 
were originally settled by the French, towards the mid¬ 
dle of the seventeenth century. vSt. Christophei ’s w^as 
however a very early British settlement. Antigua is 
also said to have been planted by the English in 1632 ; 
while the French began to send colonies to Guadaloupe 
about 1630 . J'he subsequent struggles between the two 
powers, concerning these valuable islands, would form 
.too complex a narrative for the present design. They 
are generally plain and fertile; being remarkably con¬ 
trasted with the barrenness of the Bahama group. In 
some there are small ranges of hills ; and in Guadaloupe 
there appear to have been many volcanoes, the noted 
Soudriere being a kind of solfa terra, or vast mass of 
sulphur, emitting continual smoke. Dominica also con¬ 
tains several volcanoes. The products and exports of 
all these isles are similar, being sugar, rum, coffee, co¬ 
coa, indigo, cotton, Sec. 

Under this head may also be arranged the small group 
running parallel with the shore of South America, of 
which Curazao and Buenayre belong to the Dutch, who 
import AlVican slaves, whom they sell to the Spaniards 
on the continent. 

Trinidad. Under this division may also be classed 
the island of Trinidad, recently ceded by Spain to Great 
Britain. This island is about 90 British miles in length, 
while the medial breadth may be about 30 . Colon land¬ 
ed here in 1498 , when lie discovered the mouth of the 
Orinoco; but the possession was neglected till 1535 . 


EUROPE. 


273 


BAHAMA OR LUCAYOS ISLANDS. 

These isles, though very numerous, and some of them 
of considerable size, are little known. They are said to 
have been totally deserted when, in 1672, a few English¬ 
men took possession of the island which they called Pro¬ 
vidence. But becoming a nest of pirates, a force was 
sent from England to subdue them; and a small regular 
colony established about 1720. The English in the Ba¬ 
hama islands arc computed at 3 or 4000; half being set¬ 
tled in Providence, where there is a fort called Nassau, 
and a small harbour. Tlie few exports are cotton, dying 
woods, live turtle, and salt. The soil seems to be natu¬ 
rally barren; and the narrow length of these isles, much 
exposed to the heat and the winds, accounts for their 
comparative insignificance in this grand commerciaE 
archipelago. 


From the JVew Continent we pass to the Old-, in the 
description of which we begin with 

EUROPE. 


EXTEPPT AKD BOUjXDARIES. 

THIS quarter of the globe, although the least exten¬ 
sive, is, according to Pinkerton’s estimation, calculated 
to be about 3300 miles in length, and 2350 in breadth; 
lying between 10 degrees west and 65 degrees east lon¬ 
gitude from London, and between the 36th degree and 
72d degree of north latitude; containing about two mil¬ 
lions and a half square miles. 




274 EUROPE. 

It is bounded on the north, by the Frozen ocean, em¬ 
bracing the isles of Spitsbergen and Nova Zenibla; east, 
by Asia; south, by the Mediterranean sea; and M’est, 
by the Atlantic ocean, which contains the furthest Euro¬ 
pean isle. 

RELIGION. 

The Christian religion prevails throughout Europe, ex¬ 
cepting Turkey, w'here however at least one half of the 
inhabitants are attached to the Greek church. 

CLIMATE. 

This fair portion of the globe is chiefly situated in the 
temperate zone, if such distinctions have not vanished 
from geography, since modern discoveries have evinced 
that the climate often depends on local causes; that the 
Alps in a southern latitude present mountains of ice un¬ 
known in Lapland; that the torrid zone abounds with 
water and habitations, and may perhaps contain moun¬ 
tains covered with snow. Yet freedom from the exces¬ 
sive heats of Asia and Africa has contributed to the vi¬ 
gour of the frame, and the energy of the mind. 

INLAND SEAS. 

Among the inland seas the Mediterranean is justly 
pre-eminent, having been the centre of civilization to an¬ 
cient and modern Europe. The length of this sea is 
about 2000 miles to its farthest extremity in Syria. On 
the northern side open two immense gulfsj that of Venice, 
and the Archipelago; from this last a straight called the 
Hellespont, conducts to the sea of Marmora; and ano¬ 
ther now styled the straigiit of Constantinople, leads to 
the Euxine or Black sea; which to the north, presents 
the sea of Azof, the utmost maritime limit of Europe in 
that quarter. 

^ The second grand inland sea of Europe is the Baltic. 
This extensive inlet opens the German sea by a gulf 
pointing NE. and afterwards passes south, in what is 
called the Cattegat; to the SE. of which is the sound of 
Elsineur, a straight where vessels pay a tribute of cour- 


EUROPE. 2r5 

tesy to Denmark. Tides are unknown, and the fish are 
few in this sea. 

The third and last inland sea of Europe is that called 
the White sea, in the north of Russia. This sea con¬ 
tains a number of small islands; but the accounts yet 
given of them are brief and unsatisfactory. 

GOVERNMENTS. 

The kingdoms and states of Europe, may be consi¬ 
dered, 1. As despotic monarchies, as those of Russia and 
Turkey; 2. Absolute monarchies, as Spain, Denmark, 
tkc. or, 5. Limited monarchies, as the Empire of Ger¬ 
many, kingdom of Great Britain, &c. Since the fall of 
Venice, and the subversion of Switzerland and Holland, 
scarcely an example occurs of permanent and fixed aris¬ 
tocracy, or the hereditary governments of nobles. Of 
democracy, or more strictly speaking, elective aristo¬ 
cracy, a few cities, and some Swiss cantons, may pre¬ 
serve a semblance; while France at the present hour is 
a military despotism, under the name of a democratical 
empire. 

ARRANGEMENT. 

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Euro¬ 
pean states comprised in the first order are: 1. The 
united kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland; 3. France; 

3. Russia; 4. the Austrian dominions; 5. those of Prus¬ 
sia; 6. Spain; 7. Turkey; which last cannot so justly 
be reduced to the second order; for though perhaps ap¬ 
proaching its fall, still it boasts the name and weight of 
an empire. 

Under the second order have been arranged: 1. FIol- 
land, or the United Provinces; 2. Denmark; 3. Sweden 

4. Portugal; 5. Switzerland. In the third are consider¬ 
ed the chief states of Germany, that labyrinth of geo- 
grapy, and, those of Italy. The kingdoms of Sicily and 
Sardinia might perhaps, if entire and unshaken, aspire 
to the second order; and an equal station might be claim¬ 
ed by the junctive Electorate Palatine and Bavarian, and 
by that of Saxony. But as such states only form rather 
superior divisions of Germany and Italy, it appeared 


276 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


inore adviseable to consider them in their natural inti¬ 
mate connexion with these countries. ^ 

This explanation being premised, the first description 
shall be that of the British dominions. 


ENGLAND. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTEA^T JJVD BOUJVDJRIES. 

"THIS island extends from 50 degrees to 581 degrees 
north latitude, and from 2 degrees east to 6 degrees 20 
minutes west longitude; being; 580 miles in length, and 
370 in breadth; and contains 49,450 square miles. 

It is bounded on the east, by the German ocean; on 
the south, by the English channel; on the west, by St. 
George’s channel; and on the north, by the Cheviot hills, 
the river Tweed, and an ideal line falling south-west to 
the firth of Solway. 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

The population of England by the Celts, may be re¬ 
garded as the first historical epoch. 

The second is formed by the Belgic colonies, who 
about three centuries before the birth of Christ, seized 
the southern and eastern shores and restricted the Celts 
to the west. 

The next may be considered the conquest of the island 
by the Romans. After a duration of four centuries they 
in turn yielded to the Saxons and Angies. 

After repeated ravages, the Danes, in the year 1016, 
dispersed the British forces, and gave three kings to the 
country; but in the year 1042, the dominion returned to 
the Saxon line. 



OF ENGLAND 


277 


In the year 1066 William the Norman conquered and 
took possession of the throne of England. 

Civil wars between the houses of York and Lancaster, 
may be regarded as the most remarkable epoch, for 
which, and the succeeding events, see Hume’s Flistory 
of England. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

■RELIGIOjy. 

The established religion is the Episcopal Church of 
England, of which the king without any spiritual power, 
is the head. The revenues of the church of England are 
supposed to be about 3,000,000/. sterling. All other de¬ 
nominations of Christians called Dissenters, and even 
Jews, are tolerated. The other most considerable reli¬ 
gious sects of England, are Roman Catholics, Quakers, 
Methodists, Baptists, 12,000 families of Jews, and French 
and German Lutherans and Calvinists. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The government of Great Britain may be called a li¬ 
mited monarchy. It is a combination of a monarchical 
and popular government. The king has only the exe¬ 
cutive power, the legislative is shared by him and the 
parliament, or more properly by the people. The crown 
is hereditary; both male and female descendants are ca¬ 
pable of succession. The king must profess the Pro¬ 
testant religion. 

The laws of England in general, form a noble court 
of justice and equity, the precious legacy of ^remote an¬ 
cestors. It would be idle and extraneous here to at¬ 
tempt even a brief sketch of them. 

POPULATION. 

From the census taken of the inhabitants of England 
and Wales, in 1801, there were 4,715,711 males, and 
4,627,867 females: making the total population 9,343,578. 

A a 



278 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


ARMY AND NAVY. 

The effective rank and file, including invalids, Tnilitia, 
and foreign corps, as well as the regular and fencible 
troops, as returned to the secretary of war, amounted in 
December 1800, to 168,082. The immensity of her 
naval power may be estimated, when it is ascertained, 
that the number of seamen annually voted for her fle -ts, 
amount from a hundred to a hundred and twenty thousand. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

lajYGuage ajyd literature. 

Most European languages are derived from the Gothic 
or the Latin; to the Latin origin belong Italian, French, 
and Spanish; to the Gothic, the German, Dutch, Flem¬ 
ish, Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian. P’rom the situa¬ 
tion of the country and other causes, the English parti¬ 
cipates of both these grand sources, and unites in some 
degree the force of the Gothic, with the melody of the 
Latin dialects. English literature is a vast and inviting 
theme; but a few fugitive remarks must here suffice: 
the grand feature of English literature is original genius, 
transmitted from Roger Bacon’s, Shakspeare’s, Milton’s, 
8cc. and it is well known that the English have always 
cultivated classical literature, with distinguished zeal and 
predilection. 

MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. 

England abounds with all the useful productions of 
those countries of Europe which are in parallel latitudes, 
wine, silk, and some wild animals excepted. Agricul¬ 
ture, gardening, the cultivation of all those plants which 
are most useful for feeding cattle, and breeding horses 
and sheep, are carried on in England to an astonishing 
height. Of about 42,000,000 acres, which England con¬ 
tains, only 8,500,000 produce grain ; the rest is either co- 



OF ENGLAND. 


279 


vercd with wood, or laid out in meadows, gardens, parks. 
See. and a considerable part is still waste land. Yet out 
of the crops obtained from the fifth part of the lands, 
there have been exported, during the space of five years 
from 1745 to 1750, quantities of grain to the value of 
7,600,000/. sterling. The net produce of the English grain 
land, is estimated at 9,000,000/. sterling. The rents of 
pasture ground, meadows, &c. at 7,000,000/. The num¬ 
ber of people engaged in, and maintai)ied by farming, is 
supposed to be 2,800,000. England abounds in excellent 
cattle and sheep. In the beginning of the last century 
there were supposed to be 12,000,000 of sheep, and their 
number has since been increasing. In the years 1769, 
1770, and 1771, the value of the woollens exported from 
England, including those of Yorkshire, amounted to up¬ 
wards of 13,500,000/. sterling. 

Copper, tin, lead and iron are found in great abundance 
in Great Britain, where there are made every year from 
50 to 60,000 tons of pig iron, and from 20 to 30,000 
tons of bar iron. 

England possesses a great treasure in its inexhaustible 
coal mines, which are worked chiefly in the uorihern 
counties, whence the coal is conveyed l3y sea, and by the 
inland canals to every part of the kingdom. The nunes 
of Northumberland alone, send every year upwards of 
600,000 chaldrons of coals to London, and 1500 ves¬ 
sels are employed in carrying them along the eastern 
coasts of England. 

The manufactures in England, are, confessedly, witli 
very few exceptions, superior to those of other countries. 
For this superiority, they are nearly equally indebted to 
national character, to the situation of their country, and 
to their excellent constitution. 

The English government, favourable to every exertion 
of genius, has provided, by wise and excellent laws, for 
the secure enjoyment of property acquired by ingenuity 
and labour, and has removed obstacles to industry, by 
prohibiting the importation of such articles from abroad, 
which could be manufactured at home. 


28 Q 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AND SEASONS, 

The climate of Great Britain is perhaps more variable 
than that of any other country on the globe, as the va¬ 
pours of the Atlantic ocean, are opposed to the drying 
winds from the Eastern Continent. The western coasts 
in particular, are subject to frequent rains; and the east¬ 
ern part of Scotland is of a clearer and drier temperature 
man that of England. The humidity of the clim?/.e, in- 
deed, clothes the delicious vales and meadows with a ver¬ 
dure unknown to any other region; but is injurious to 
the health of the inhabitants, by causing colds and ca¬ 
tarrhs, the frequent sources of more deadly disorders; 
particularly of consumptions, which are fatal to many ^ 
in the prime of youth. The moist and foggy climate 
conspires with the great use of gross and animal food, 
to produce that melancholy, which is esteemed by fo¬ 
reigners a national characteristic. As trees particularly 
attract the moisture of the atmosphere, it may be ques¬ 
tioned whether the noted abundance of them in England, 
contribute to the general salubrity. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL, &c. 

No nation in the world can equal the cultivated parts 
of England in beautiful scenes; the variety of high lands 
and low lands, the former generally swelling, and both 
of them forming prospects equal to the most luxuriant 
imagination. The corn and meadow ground, the inter¬ 
mixture of inclosures and plantations, the noble seats, 
comfortable houses, chearful villages, and w^ell stocked 
farms, often rising in the neighbourhood of populous 
towns and cities, decorated with the most vivid colours 
of nature, are inexpressible. Among the numerous spe¬ 
cies of vegetables which are natives of Britain, scarcely 
any are adequate to the sustenance and clothing of man. 
Their frequent rains, their blasting winds, and the scanty 



HISTORICAL GEOCxRAPHY. 


281 


portion of the light and heat of the sun to v/hich they are 
stinted, deprive them entirely of those vegetable trea¬ 
sures, ■which in the tropical climates, offer themselves in 
overflowing exuberance to satisfy the wants and luxu¬ 
rious desires of their human inhabitants. 

RIVERS AND MOUNTAINS. 

England is intersected with four important rivers, the 
Severn, the Thames, the Humber, and the Mersey, be¬ 
sides their many important auxiliary streams; for the 
delineation of which our present work is too contracted. 
While Bennevis, the highest mountain in Scotland, is 
not above one quarter of the height of Mont Blanc, the 
sovereign of the Alps, the English and Welsh summits 
aspire to heights less considerable; Snowden being only 
3568 feet above the sea, while Bennevis is 4387; but 
Wham or Wharnside in Yorkshire, was estimated at 
4050. 


SCOTLAND. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTEXT AXD BOUXDARIES, 

SCOTLAND w'as first discovered to the Romans by 
Agricola. It extends from the 55th degree of north lati¬ 
tude to more than degrees; is in length 260 miles, 
and its greatest breadth about 160; and contains 27,793 
square miles. It is bounded on all sides by the sea, ex¬ 
cepting on the south, which has been described in the 
northern boundary of England. 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

Among the most memorable epochs in Scotch history 
is, the entrance of Agricola into Scotland, and the sub¬ 
sequent conflicts with the Romans till the latter abandon¬ 
ed Britain. 

A a 2 




232 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY 


The introduction of Christianity among the Caledo¬ 
nians, in the year of our Lord 565. 

The extinction of the ancient line of kings, in the per¬ 
son of Margaret of Norway, in the year 1290. 

The accession of the house of Stuart to the Scottish 
throne. 

The establishment of the protestant religion in 1560. 

The union of the two kingdoms in 1707. 

The abolition of hereditary jurisdiction in 1755, which 
laid the foundation of the subsequent prosperity of Scot¬ 
land. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGIOJV, 

The ecclesiastical government of Scotland is of the 
Presbyterian form, from which there are a number of 
Seceders. Many respectable families in Scotland em¬ 
brace the episcopal form of the church of England. There 
are but few Roman Catholics, and the other descriptions 
of religious professions are not numerous. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The govei nment of Scotland, since the union, has been 
blended v/ith that of England. The chief distinction be¬ 
tween the original constitutions of the two countries, was 
that Scotland had no house of commons, the parliament, 
consisting of all descriptions, assembled in one hall. The 
law of Scotland differs essentially from that of England, 
being founded in a great measure, upon the civil law. It 
partly consists of statute law; of common law there is 
hardly a trace, while the civil and canon laws, may be 
said to form the two pillars of Scottish judicature. 

POPULATION. 

The present population is about 1,660,000. 



OF SCOTLrAND, 


283 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

JMAJ^JVERS AJVD CUSTOMS, 

The manners and customs of the Scots begin to be 
much assimilated to those of the English. In the luxu¬ 
ries of the table, the superior classes rival the English; 
whilst the lower classes are content with a thick pottage, 
formed with oatmeal and water, and even that distributed 
in scanty portions. 

LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE. 

The Scottish language falls under two divisions, that 
of the Lowlands consisting of the ancient Scandinavian 
dialect, blended with the Anglo-Saxon; and that of the 
Flighlands, which is the Irish. The literature of Scotland 
recompences for its recent origin, by its rapid progress 
and extensive fame.. The mode of education pursued 
here is highly laudable, and is perhaps the best practical 
system pursued in any country in Europe. 

MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. 

The general commerce of Scotland, though on a small¬ 
er scale, and with smaller capitals, is in most respects, 
similar to that of England, and shares in the national 
prosperity. The chief manufactures, are linen of various 
kinds, to the anmunt of about 750,000/. sterling annually. 
Of woollens, the Scottish carpets seem to form the chief 
branch. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE A.YD SEASOJVS, 

The climate of Scotland is such as might be expected 
from a latitude so remote, and a country so mountainous. 
The winter is more distinguishable by the abundance of 




284 


SCOTTISH ISLES. 


snow than by the intensity of the frost; but in summer 
the heat of the sun is reliected with great power in the 
warm vales between the mountains, so as sometimes to 
occasion a phenomenon of glistering particles, that seem 
to swim before the eye. 

SOIL AND AGRICULTURE. 

The country in general is mountainous, to the extent 
perhaps of two-thirds, consequently the soil for the most 
part is light. For a long period of time Scotland was 
remarkable for producing the best gardeners and the 
worst farmers in Europe, the reason given for which was, 
that the farms in Scotland were so very small and cir¬ 
cumscribed that experiments in agriculture could not be 
made. 


SCOTTISH ISLES. 

The islands that belong to Scotland are numerous and 
important, and fall naturally into three grand divisions, 
the Western Islands, the Orkneys, and the islands of 
Shetland; besides these are the two islands Arran and 
Bute^ the former of which is 23 miles long and 9 broad, 
and has upwards of 7000 inhabitants ; the latter 12 miles 
long and 4 broad, and contains about 4000 inhabitants. 

The first of the Avestern isles is Ilay^ about the same 
length as Arran, but nearly 18 miles in breadth, and con¬ 
tains about 7000 inhabitants. 

Jura is the next, and is divided from the last by a nar¬ 
row sound; about 20 miles long and 5 broad. The best 
productions here arc potatoes and barley. 

Mull is about 28 miles in length, by a medial breadth 
of 18; and contains about 7000 inliabitants. 

Icolni-kill is about three miles long and one broad, and 
is venerable as the primitive seat of Scottish literature 
and religion, founded by St. Columba in the sixth century. 

Omitting many of the smaller islands we next come 
to Skey^ the largest of the Western isles, being about 45 



HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 285 

miles long and 22 broad; and contains about 15,000 in- 
habitants. 

The Orkneys form a numerous group around the Main 
Land, 

The Main Land is about 25 miles long and 13 broad. 
JCirkwall, chief town of the Orkneys, contains about 300 
houses. The inhabited islands of Orkney, are computed 
at 26,'.and the people ai 23,053. 

Shetland, The islands of Shetland present another 
group similar to those of Orkney, with a Main Land or 
chief island in its centre. The Main Land is much in¬ 
tersected by the sea; and is about 57 miles long and 10 
in medial breadth. 

J.er%vick^ the chief town or rather village, contains 
about 150 ^^milies. 


IRELAND. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES, 

THE large and fertile island of Ireland being situated”' 
to the west of Great Britain, was probably discovered by 
the Phoenicians as early as the sister island. The ex¬ 
tent of this noble island is about 300 miles in length, and 
about 160 at the greatest breadth. The contents in square 
miles may be computed at 27,457. • 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

The first historical epoch of Ireland, is its original po¬ 
pulation by the Celtic Gauls. ^ 

The next remarkable event was its conversion to Chris¬ 
tianity, in the fifth century. 




286 POLITICAL GEOGPAPHY 

In the year 1170, the first British settlement was made 
there. 

In the fourteenth century, Ireland began to produce 
some manufactures. 

In the reign of James I, Ireland became subject to 
Britain. 

The last remarkable epoch, is the union with Great 
Britain. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION, 

The legal religion of Ireland is that of the church of 
England; but it is computed that two-thirds of the peo¬ 
ple are Catholics; and of the remaining third, the Pres¬ 
byterians are supposed to constitute one half. The pre¬ 
valence of the Catholic religion is chiefly owing to their 
persecution. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

At present Ireland being united to England, the form 
of government is ideritically the same. There are some 
minute variations between the statute and common law 
of Ireland and those of England. 

POPULATION. 

The population of Ireland has, by some writers, been 
recently swelled to the amount of 4,000,000; but the 
most authentic documents seem to restrict the number 
to about 3,000,000. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MAJVKERS AND CUSTOMS, 

The wealthy and dignified of the Irish nation in gene¬ 
ral, differ very little in language, manners and customs 
from those of the same rank in England. The hospi- 



OF IRELAND. 


287 


tality of every grade is proverbial. The common peo¬ 
ple are represented as impatient of abuse and injury, and 
implacable and violent in all their affections; but quick 
of apprehension, courteous to strangers, and patient of 
hardships. 

EDUCATION. 

In no quarter of the British dominions has education 
been so much neglected as in Ireland; they only possess 
one university, that of Dublin; in the other established 
schools the children of Roman Catholics are not received. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AjXD SEASOJVS. 

Ireland lying nearly in the same parallel with England, 
the difference of climate cannot be supposed to be very 
important. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL, See. 

Ireland in its appearance forms a striking contrast to 
Scotland, being mostly level, fertile and abundant in pas¬ 
turage: as a proof of its goodness of soil and state of 
agriculture, it is observed that the quantity of cultivated 
land exceeds, in proportion, that of England; and the 
climate being more moist, the verdure never appears 
parched with heat. 


FRANCE. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

FRANCE was probably known to the Phoenicians, 
though the superior fame of the metallic riches of Spain, 
has almost eclipsed their discovery of Gaul. 



288 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES. 

The extent of France before the recent acquisitions 
was computed at 148,840 square miles; and supposing 
the then population to be 26,000,000, would render 174 
inhabitants to each mile square. The boundaries were, 
on the west, the Atlantic Ocean; on the south, the Me¬ 
diterranean and Pyrenees; on the east, Savoy, Swisser- 
land, and Germany; on the north, the Austrian Nether¬ 
lands, the German sea, and English channel. It ex¬ 
tends from about the 42d to near the 51st degree of north 
latitude; from about the 7th degree of longitude west from 
Paris to about the 5th on the east; being in length N. 
to S. about 600.British miles, and in breadth W. to E. 
about 5 60. 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. ' 

The first epoch is the primitive population of the 
Celts. 

The next remarkable epoch is the conquest of Gaul, 
by Julius Cscsar. 

Another remarkable xra. is the conquest of that coun¬ 
try by the Franks under Clovis, about the year 490, and 
their conversion to Christianity shortly after. 

The next is the accession of the house of Capet, in the 
year 987. 

The wars with England, is the most remarkable epoch. 

And lastly, the revolutions which have astonished the 
world, and rivalled the pages of ancient history. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

BELJGIOM 

The established religion of the present French empire 
is the Roman Catholic, although all other religions are 
tolerated. 

GOVERNMENT. 

The present government of France is an absolute im¬ 
perial monarchy, with all the appendages usually attend- 


OF FRANCE. 


289 


ing a military despotism. Buonaparte, under the title of 
Napoleon I, is the present ruler of that imperial republic. 
To describe the laws and the various branches belonging 
to this government, which fluctuates according to" the 
despotism or clemency of the ruler, would be equally nu¬ 
gatory and futile. 

POPULATION. 

The population of France was formerly computed at 
26,000,000, but the recent acquisitions, if durable, would 
swell it to the formidable extent of 32,000,000. At all 
events, France is a country teeming with population, and 
quickly resumes her vigour after stupendous losses, as 
Europe has repeatedly experienced. 

REVENUE. 

According to the most recent accounts, the revenue 
of France amounted to 600,000,000 livres or 25,000,000/. 
sterling. The common current money had been com¬ 
puted at 90,000,000/. sterling, while that of Great Bri¬ 
tain has been estimated at 40,000,000/. The late con¬ 
quests have considerably enriched France, especially Pa¬ 
ris; and the generals vie with the Romans in wealth and 
luxury. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MAJVjVERS, customs, language, 

The manners and customs of the French have been 
so often delineated, that the subject has become trivial 
and familiar. 

The French language is the most universally diffused 
of any in Europe. In variety, clearness and precision, 
and idioms adapted to life, business and pleasure, it yields 
to no modern speech, but it wants force and dignity, and 
yet more, sublimity. 

National education has justly attracted the attention of 
the present government, with what success time must 



290 


FRENCH ISLES. 


discover. Under whatever form of government, the ig¬ 
norant will be found the most unmanageable ; and those 
Jacobins, who attempted to extinguish what they termed, 
the aristocracy of knowledge, united as usual, every vice 
to consummate ignorance. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AKD REASONS. 

The climate of so extensive an empire as France may 
be expected to be various: in general, it is far more clear 
and serene than that of England; but the northern pro¬ 
vinces are exposed to heavy rains, which however pro¬ 
duce beautiful verdure and rich pastures. 


FRENCH ISLES. 

The isles around France are so small and unimportant 
that they scarcely deserve notice. They are as follow: 

Corsica^ famous for being the native soil of the present 
emperor. 

HyeresJ^ These isles situated near Toulon, contain 
some botanic riches, and claim the fame of being Ho¬ 
mer’s isle of Calypso. 

Olcron first occurs on the western coast, about 14 
miles long by two broad. 

Re is situated to the north opposite Rochelle. 

Yeu is a small and insignificant isle, being about eight 
miles long and two broad. 

Bellisle is about nine miles long and three broad, sur¬ 
rounded by steep rocks. 

Ushant the farthest headland of France, towards the 
west is about nine miles in circumference, and contains 
about 600 inhabitants. 




HISTORICAL geography. 


291 


NETHERLANDS. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTEjYT JXD EOUXDJIUES. 

THE length of the Austrian Netherlands, computed 
from the eastern limit of Luxembourg’, to Ostend on the 
ocean, may be about 180 British miles; and about 120 
in breadth, from the northern boundary of Austrian Bra¬ 
bant to the most southern limit of Hainaut. The extent 
is computed at 7520 square miles, with a population of 
1,900,000. But if the French territory be extended to 
the Rhine, and thus include large portions of the Ger¬ 
man circles of Lower Rhine and Westphalia, the terri¬ 
tory and population may be increased by at least one 
third. 

They are bounded north, by Holland and the German 
ocean; east,by Germany ; and south and west,by France 
and the British channel. 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

The first epoch relates to the events while the Romans 
held Gaul. 

The next remarkable one is. the Austrian domination. 

The last, its conquest by France: it is now become 
a component part of that empire. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

religioa: 

The religion of the Netherlands is the Roman Catho¬ 
lic, and till the French revolution, the inhabitants were 
noted for their religious zeal. 





292 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 


GOVERNMENT, LAWS AND POPULATION. 

The government and laAvs were, previous to the French 
revolution, conducted by a branch of the house of Aus¬ 
tria and its dependants, and consequently were tinctured 
by the laws of that empire. The aristocracy was mild, 
and the people in general more happy and contented than 
they are likely to prove under the scourge of imperial 
freedom. The population being computed at 1,900,000, 
and the square extent at 7520 ntiles, there will be 252 
inhabitants to each square mile, while France yields only 
174. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MJ.YJVERS, CUSTOMS, LANGUAGE, Cfc. 

The manners and customs of the Netherlands partake 
of those of their neighbours the Dutch and French; the 
phlegm of the one being teirqxit'ed by the vivacity of the 
other. The lower classes were fond of religious page¬ 
antry, and much addicted to the observances of the Cath¬ 
olic system. 

The Flemish language partakes of the German and 
Dutch. 

These provinces boast of early literature, after their 
conversion to Christianity in the seventh century, in va¬ 
rious chronicles, and lives of saints; but in modern times 
they have rarely produced writers of great talents. The 
native language remains uncultivated, and the chief au¬ 
thors have used the Latin or the PTench. Ph’oissart was 
born at Valenciennes, in French Plunders; Philip de 
Comines at the town so called, about eight miles to the 
north of Lisle, and situated in the same division. Lip- 
sius, a man of considerable erudition, was born near 
Brussels. But in general the southern Netherlands are 
more eminent in artists; and the United provinces in 
literary characters. 



HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


293 


The education was neglected, although the Jesuits in 
vain attempted to bring it to a level with that of the 
pi’otestant states. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AJVD FACE OF THE COUNTRY. 

The climate of the Netherlands considerably resembles 
that of the south of England, and is more remarkable 
for moisture than for warmth; yet the Duchy of Luxem¬ 
bourg produces some wine, which probably has the aus¬ 
terity of the Rhenish, without its spirit. 

The face of the country is in general level, and the 
semblance of hills can scarcely be discovered, except to¬ 
wards the east, where a few elevations relieve the eye 
from the general flatness of the other regions. 


RUSSIA. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY.- 

EXTEJYT AHD BOUjYDylRIES. 

THE Russian empire is, perhaps, the most extensive 
that ever existed; the length being about 9200 English 
miles and the breadth 2400. But the oriental part pre¬ 
sents vast deserts and a slender population. 

This immense empire stretches from the Baltic Sea 
and Sweden on the west, to Kamtschatka and the Pacific 
Ocean on the east; and from the Frozen Ocean on the 
north, to nearly the 44th degree of latitude on the south; 
on which side it is bounded by Poland, Little Tartary, 
Turkey, Georgia, the Euxine and Caspian Seas, Great 
Tartary, Chinese Tartary, and other unknown regions 
in Asia. 


Bb2 





21>4 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY 


HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

The first seems to be the foundation of the kingdom 
by Ruric, in the year of our Lord 862. His d,escendants 
reigned about 700 years. 

The conversion of the Russians to Christianity, in the 
tenth century. 

The invasion of the Tartars in 1236. 

The abolition of the power of the Tartars, by Ivan HI, 
•who died in 1505. 

The death of the Czar Feodor, in 1598, with whom 
expired the long progeny of Ruric. ? 

The reigns of Peter I, and Catharine II. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

BjELIGIOM 

The religion of Russia is that of the Greek church, 
of which, since the fall of the Byzantine empire, this state 
may be considered as the chief source and power. 

GOVERNMENT. 

‘The government of Russia appears to have been al¬ 
ways despotic, there being no legislative power distinct 
fi’om that' of the sovereign. What is called the senate 
is only the supreme court of judicature. 

This vast empire is divided into about 40 governments 
of vice-royalties; the whole frame may be pronounced 
to be military, and nobility itself is only virtually esti¬ 
mated by rank in the army. 

POPULATION. 

The present population of this extensive empire, is 
moderately estimated at about 36,000,000 of persons* 

ARMY AND NAVY. 

' The whole amount of the Russian troops may be esti¬ 
mated at 600,000, of which 500,000 may be esteemed 



OF RUSSIA. 


295 


effective. The whole naval power of Russia consists of 
about 50 ships of the line, besides a number of frigates, 
gallies, xebecs, and gun-boats. 


REVENUE. 

The revenues of Russia are supposed to amount to 
ab-out 10,000,000/. sterling. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

LITERATURE AKD EDUCATIOA>'. 

Tlie Russian literature succeeded, as usual, the con¬ 
version of the empire to Christianity. The elder authors 
are either writers of annals, or compilers of martyrologies 
and lives of saints ; but little can be expected from the na¬ 
tive literature, till the language shall have been reduced 
to the more precise alphabet and polished form of the 
European dialects. Education is little known or diffused 
in Russia, though the court have constituted academies 
for the instruction of officers and artists. 

CITIES AND TOWNS. 

Moscow, This city dates from the year 1300, and is 
of very considerable extent, and population, though in-*^ 
jured by a pestilence in 1771. Prior to this mortality 
the houses in Moscow were computed at 12,538, and the 
population at not less than 200,000. Moscow is built in 
the Asiatic manner, in which cities cover a vast space of 
ground. 

Petersburg^ the Imperial residence, is said to contain 
170,000 inhabitants; and is the well-known, but surpris¬ 
ing erection of the last century. This city has been so 
repeatedly described, that the theme is trivial. Suffice 
it to observe that it stands in a marshy situation on the 
river Neva, the houses being chielly of wood, though 
there be some of brick ornamented with white stucco. 
Tiie stone buildings are few; and Petersburg is more 
distinguished by its fame, than by its appearance or opu- 



296 


RUSSIAN ISLES. 


lence. The noblest public works are the quays, built 
of perpetual granite, while we employ perishable free¬ 
stone. 

MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. 

The chief manufactures of Russia, are those of oil, 
soap, candles, some considerable distilleries and sugar 
refineries. There are also several manufactories of pa¬ 
per, tobacco, linen, cotton, coarse cloths and carpets. 
The silk manufactories are very numerous, and leather 
has long been a staple commodity. The exports in ge¬ 
neral of Russia by the Baltic, exceed the imports by one 
third part. In 1797, the imports of Petersburg were 
computed at about 4,000,000/. sterling. Russia is sup¬ 
posed to export grain annually to the value of 170,000/. 
sterling; and hemp and fiax, raw and manufactured, to 
the amount of 1,500,000/. sterling. 


NATURAL GEOGRA.PKY. 

FACE OF THE COHYTRY, SOIL, ciT’c. 

* In so wide an empire the face of the country must be 
extremely various; but the chief feature of it consists in 
plains of a prodigious extent, rivalling in that respect the 
vast deserts of Asia and Africa. The numerous and ma¬ 
jestic rivers also constiUite a distinguished feature of this 
empire. The soil is of course also extremely diverse; 
and agriculture is hardly known in the northern parts, 
but in the central parts of the empire, has been pursued 
from time immemorial. 


RUSSIAN ISLES. 

Cronstadt is situated in the gulf of Finland, and is only 
remarkable for an excellent haven strongly fortified, the 
chief station of the Russian fleet. 




AUSTRIAN DOMINIONS. 


297 


Ossel and Dago situated in the Baltic, are of a''consi¬ 
derable size, but full of rocks: the marble of the first 
island is, however, beautiful. 

There are several isles near the shore of Russian Lap- 
land and in the White sea, but generally barren and un¬ 
inhabited rocks. 

S/dtzbergcn, The remote and dreary islands of Spitz- 
bergen, are supposed to have been first discovered by the 
Dutch navigator Barentz in 1596. The main land ex¬ 
tends about 300 miles, from the south cape latitude 76 
degrees 30 minutes, to Verlegan-hook, latitude 80 degrees 
7 minutes. The icebergs or glaciers in the north-east 
of Spitzbergen, present a singular appearance, being high 
clilfb of an emerald colour, impendent over the sea, with 
cataracts of melted snow, and a back ground of black co¬ 
nic hills streaked with white. The sea contains moun¬ 
tains of ice, formed by aggregation, till it sometimes 
rises to 1500 feet above its level. About the first of No¬ 
vember the sun sets and appears no more till the begin¬ 
ning of Tebruary, and after the beginning of May it ne¬ 
ver sets till August. To the NE. of this dreary group 
are the small isles called the Seven Sisters^ the most arc¬ 
tic land yet discovered. 


AUSTRIAN DOMINIONS. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

The dominions subject to the House of Austria em¬ 
brace many ancient kingdoms and states; in describing 
M'hich, it may seem proper to pay the first and chief at¬ 
tention to that part which gradually spread its dominions 
over the rest; the other provinces will of course be con¬ 
sidered in proportion to their real and lasting importance. 
On this plan the provinces that will here require parti¬ 
cular observation, are the Archduchy of Austria^ the King^ 





298 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY 


domsoi Hungary and Bohemia^ the Grand-duchy of Tran¬ 
sylvania^ the dominion towards the Adriatic^ with the ac¬ 
quisitions of Venice^ Dalmatia^ and that part ot Boland 
which has fallen under the Austrian sceptre. 

EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES. 

From the frontiers of Swisserland, to the utmost 
limits of Transylvania, the length of the Austrian do¬ 
minions may be about 760 British miles, the breadth 
about 520 from the river Bug, which forms a boundary 
between Austria and Prussian Poland to the Save, which 
divides the Austrian from the Turkish sovereignty. 
They are bounded on the. north by the dominions of 
Prussia, Upper Saxony, Bavaria, and Swabia; on the 
east by Russia and Turkey, on the west by Swisserland 
and the Italian states; and on the south by Italy and 
Turkey, in Europe. 

Hie historical epochs of various kingdoms and states^ 
recently united under one sovereigntij^ ?nnst of course be 
too prolix to be enumerated in a %vork of this contracted 
nature: we must therefore refer our readers to the history 
of those countries ; or for a more concise view^ to the histo¬ 
rical epochs in the large Pinkerton, 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGIOJW 

The preponderant religion of the Austrian dominions 
is the Roman Catholic, but attended with a considerable 
degree of toleration. Protestants of various sects are 
found in Bohemia, and Moravia; nor are Lutherans un¬ 
known at Vienna, though they chiefly abound in Tran¬ 
sylvania; nay, in Hungary it is believed that the Protes¬ 
tants are equal in number to the Catholics. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The form of government is an hereditary monarchy, 
and approaching to absolute powxr. For though Hun- 



OF THE AUSTRIAN DOMINIONS. 299 


^ary retain its ancient, states, or rather an aristocratical 
senate, yet the dominions being so various and exten¬ 
sive, and the military force wholly in the hands of the 
sovereign, no distinct kingdom or state can withstand 
liis will: and except most oppressive measures were pur¬ 
sued, there can be no general interest to league against 
him. Even Austria has its states, consisting of four or¬ 
ders, clergy, peers,knights,and burgesses; the assembly 
for Lower Austria being held at Vienna, and that of the 
Upper at Linz. But those local constitutions can little 
avail against the will of a powerful monarch, supported 
by a numerous army. 

The laws vary according to the different provinces, 
almost every state having its peculiar code. In general 
,the laws may be regarded as mild and salutary; and al¬ 
though the Hungarians boast of their freedom, it is never¬ 
theless a powerful aristocracy, not a government of the 
people at large. The Austrians in particular are a well 
regulated and contented people; while the Hungarians 
are often dissatisfied, and retain much of their animosi¬ 
ties against the Germans. 

POPULATION AND REVENUE. 

The general population of the Austrian dominions may 
be computed at 23,000,000; and the revenue 10,000,000/. 
Bterling. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MAJVJ^ERS AKD CUSTOMS, 

Various are the manners and customs of the nume¬ 
rous kingdoms and provinces subject to the house of 
Austria. Vienna, the capital, presents, as it were, an 
assemblage of nations, in their various dresses. In Aus¬ 
tria proper, the people are much at their ease: and the 
farmers, and even peasantry, little inferior to those of 
England. Travellers have remarked the abundance of 
provisions at Vienna, and the consequent daily luxuiy of 
food, accompanied with great variety of wines. The 



SCO 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


^Austrian manners are cold, but civil; the women ele¬ 
gant, but devoid of mental accomplishments, the only 
books they read being holy legends. The use of rouge 
is universal, but moderate; and the dress is singularly 
splendid. They retain the absurd fashion, universal on 
the continent, of dressing little girls like women. 

The manners of the Hungarians are considerably tinc¬ 
tured by those of the ruling Germans; yet they remain 
a spirited people, and alfect to despise their masters. 

LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE. 

The languages spoken in these aggregated dominions 
are numerous and different. Tliey belong chiefly to 
three grand divisions, the Gothic or German of the rul¬ 
ing nation, which will gradually exclude the others: the 
Slavonic of the Poles, part of the Plungarians, the Dal¬ 
matians, &c. and also the ancient speech used in Bohe¬ 
mia and Moravia: and lastly the Plungarian proper, 
which has been considered as a branch of the Finnic. 
The Italian of course prevails in the states of Italy that 
are subject to Austria: and the Tyrolese, Stc. use a 
mixture of Italian and German. 

Exclusive of the Italian provinces, the literary records 
of the Austrian dominions cannot descend to a remote 
period: that of Austria proper, in particular, is little in¬ 
teresting, and even the chronicles and lives of the saints 
are comp;irativeIy recent. Bohemia and Hungary have 
but little claim to modern, much less to ancient literature. 

The empress Theresa instituted schools for the edu¬ 
cation of children, but more for the education of teach-, 
ers; hence the children are taught metaphysics before 
they know Latin. 


• I 




/ 


OF THE AUSTRIAN DOIHINIONS. 501 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 


CLIMATE, SEASOJVS, 

The climate of Austria proper is commonly mild and 
salubrious, though sometimes exposed to violent winds, 
and the southern provinces in general enjoy delightful 
temperature, if the mountainous parts be excepted, ex¬ 
posed to the severities of Alpine wdnter. The more 
northern regions of Bohemia and Moravia, with the late 
acquisitions in Poland, can likewise boast the maturity 
of the grape, and of gentle and favourable w'eather. 
The numerous lakes and morasses of flungary, and the 
prodigious plains resembling deserts, are supposed to 
render the air damp and unwdiolesome, the cold of the 
night rivalling the heat of the day; but the keen blasts 
from the Carpathian mountains seem in some measure 
to remedy these evils, the inhabitants being rather re¬ 
markable for health and vigour. 

The general face of the Austrian dominions may be 
pronounced to be rather mountainous than otherwise, 
therefore highly variegated and interesting, and the ve¬ 
getable products both of the north and south of Europe, 
unite here to please the eye of the traveller. 

SOIL AND AGRICULTURE. 

The soil, is upon the whole, extremely fertile and pro¬ 
ductive, in spite of the neglect of industry which has per¬ 
mitted many parts of Hungary and the Polish provinces 
to run into wdde forests and marshes. Were skill and 
labour to assume the axe and spade, those very parts 
might display the greatest exuberance of fertility. 

C c 



302 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


PRUSSIA. 


HISTORICA-L GEOGRAPHY. 

This kingdom, which only commenced with the 18th 
century, has by gradual accessions become so extensive 
as deservedly to rank among the first powers of Europe. 
The dominions of Prussia w'ere small and scattered, till 
the acquisition of Silesia, and afterwards of a third part 
of Poland, gave a wide and stable basis to the new mo¬ 
narchy. 

EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES. 

Exclusive of small detached territories, the kingdom 
of Prussia now extends from Hornburg and the river 
Oker in'the country of Halberstadt, the furthest western 
connected district, to the river Memel, or about 600 
miles. The breadth from the southern limit of Silesia to 
Dantzick, exceeds 300 miles. On the east and south, 
Prussia now borders on the dominions of Russia and 
Austria, and the western limits adjoin to the bishoprick 
of Hildesheim, if ambition have not extended them still 
further. Before the recent acquisitions in Poland the 
number of Prussian subjects was only computed at 
5,7 21,500, in a total extent of 56,414 square miles, that is 
about ninety-nine to the square mile. At present they 
probably amount to about 8,000,000: including the mar- 
gravate of Anspach and Bayreuth, computed at 400,000; 
and the last acquisitions in Poland estimated at 2,100,000 
inhabitants. 

, HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

As this kingdom is recent, and composed of several 
ancient states, its historical epochs are of course too com¬ 
plex for this work. 

Prussia may be regarded as consisting of four great 
divisions, the electorate of Brandenburg, the kingdom of 




OF PRUSSIA. 


303 

Prussia proper, the large province of Silesia, and a third 
part of the ancient kingdom of Poland. 


• POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGIQ,y. 

The ruling religion of Prussia is the Protestant, under 
its two chief divisions of Lutheran and Calvinistic. But 
after the recent acquisitions in Poland it would seem that 
the greater number of the inhabitants should be Rojnan 
Catholic. The universal toleration which has been wisely 
embraced by the Prussian monarclis, has laid its usual 
effect of abating theological enmity, and tlie different 
sects seem to live in perfect concord. 

GOVERNMExNT AND LAWS. 

As no vestige of any senate or delegates from the 
people is known in this kingdom, it must be pronounced 
an absolute government; but the spirit and good sense 
of the nation unite with the wisdom. and mildness of 
successive monarchs, (who have nnlformly wished to in¬ 
vite foreign settlers by views of ease and freedom, in¬ 
stead of expelling their own people by rigour) to ren¬ 
der the sovereignty as conciliatory, and perhaps more 
beneficient, than if joined with a venal senate. The late 
great monarch reformed many abuses in the laws; but 
it cannot be disguised that the tenor of his government; 
was too military, a fault inherent in the Prussian system : 
in some respects, it is doubtless unavoidable, as must 
ever be the case, in establishing a new power. 

POPULATION. 

Before the acquisitions in Poland, this kingdom v/as 
supposed to contain only about five millions and a half 
of inhabitants, including one million and a half in Silesia. 
But the late great acquisition in Poland, has greatly en¬ 
larged the number of inhabitants, which may be about 
eighty to the square mile. 



304 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MJJVJVERS AjYD customs. 

The iTianners and customs of a country composed of 
such various inhabitants, recently united under one sove¬ 
reignty, must necessarily be discordant. Silesia, Poland, 
and other Slavonic nations, may be supposed to contain 
many peculiarities, v/hich distinguish them from the Ger¬ 
mans. In comparison with the Saxons, the,Prussians 
appear duiPand gloomy. The Poles seem full of life and 
action, and their general appearance is rather Asiatic than 
European. The customs of the Silesians seem to re¬ 
semble those of their neighbours, the Bohemians. 

LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE. 

The ruling language of Prussia is the German, which 
it is probable, may in time supplant the Polish, in those 
parts which are subject to Prussia and Austria. 

The state of education in this country seems to be 
ec^ually neglected as in the far greater part of Europe. 
The number of recruits wanted for the army, and the 
consequent uncertainty of destination for life, must sin¬ 
gularly impede the national instruction. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

^ CLIMATE^ SEASOjYS, ^c. 

The climate of the Prussian dominions is, upon the 
whole, cold and moist. That of Brandenburg, which 
is an extensive level of sand, and that of Pomerania, 
may be regarded as more free from humidity, than that 
of Prussia proper, which, as Busching informs us, has 
about eight months of winter, the autumns being often 
deluged with rain. The northern part of Poland, which 
has fallen under the Prussian sceptre, abounds with for¬ 
ests and marshes, which cannot be supposed to render 


OF PRUSSIA. 


305 


the air salubrious. The lower parts of Silesia are re¬ 
garded as the most healthy ^and fertile provinces of the 
monarchy: but the southern and western parts of that 
duchy, bordering on elevated mountains, long covered 
with snow, are exposed even in summer to severe freez¬ 
ing gales. 

In considering the general appearance of these ex¬ 
tensive regions, Brandenburg is a sandy and barren coun¬ 
try, but Prussia proper formerly abounded in woods, 
and displays superior fertility; a character which may 
also be extended to Prussian Poland, an immense plain. 
Silesia, on the contrary, displays a pleasing diversity, 
being level and open towards Poland, but separated from 
Hungary on the south, by the Carpathian mountains, a" 
branch of which, proceeding north-west, divides this 
country from Moravia and Bohemia. It is every where 
w^atered by the Oder, and its tributary streams: nor is 
there any deficiency of rivers in the other parts of the 
Prussian sovereignty. 

SOIL AND AGRICULTURE. 

The soil of Brandenburg is meagre, and even the 
space between Berlin and Potsdam resembles a w'ilder- 
ness; but that of Prussian Poland is loamy and fertile. 
The northern extremity of Silesia shares the sandy soil 
of Brandenburg, yet this province is in general extremely 
productive, and abounds in fruits and culinary vegetables. 

Agricultural improvements are little knowm, and Bran¬ 
denburg chiefly produces scanty crops of rye: but Prus¬ 
sia proper, and the Polish provinces display every kind 
of grain, and esculent plant, that can flourish under such 
a latitude; and among the productions of Silesia must , 
be classed maize, and even vines, but the wdne is of in¬ 
ferior quality. 


Cc 2 


306 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


SPAIN. 

HISTORICAL GEOGRAPPIY. 

THOUGH Spain appears to have been known to the 
Phoenicians nearly 1000 years before the birth of Christ, 
yet it seems scarcely to have been disclosed to the Greeks 
in the time of Herodotus. 

EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES. 

Spain lies between the 36th and 44th degrees of north 
latitude; and its western extremity is about 9 degrees 
in longitude, west from London. The greatest length 
west to east, is about 600 miles; the breadth north to 
south, more than 500; thus forming almost a compact 
square, (if we include Portugal in this general view 'of 
the country) and surrounded on all sides by the sea, 
except where the Pyrenean chain forms a grand natural 
barrier against France. 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

The chief historical epochs of Spain are: 

Its original population by the Africans and German 
Gauls. 

Its conquest by the Romans. 

Its conquest by the Arabs, in 709. 

The reign of Charles V, son of Philip of Austria, 

And the revolt of Portugal under Philip IV. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGIOJV, 

The Roman Catholic is the established religion of 
Spain, and the only one tolei'ated. The burning zeal 




OF SPAIN. 


307 


■which formerly distinguished the Spaniards above the 
rest of the Catholic world, has lost much of its activity; 
and the power of the clergy and inquisition have of late 
years been much reduced. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

Spain is an absolute monarchy. The provinces of 
Navarre, Biscay and Arragon have preserved some of 
their ancient privileges. The king’s edicts must be re¬ 
gistered in the court of Castile before they acquire the 
force of laws. The crown is hereditary both in the male 
and female line. By a law made in 1715, female heirs 
cannot succeed till after the whole male line is extinct. 

The laws of Spain are contained in several ancient 
codes; and recourse is also had to the civil and canon 
laws. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MMWERS AKD CUSTOMS, 

The Spaniards are grave and solemn in their beha¬ 
viour; they are remarkable for frugality, love of pomp, 
fidelity, valour, intrepidity, and abhorrence of drunken¬ 
ness ; they are very jealous of their honour, and honest 
in their dealings. On the other hand, their jealousy is 
so violent when their wife or any female relation is con¬ 
cerned, that it seldom fails to produce bloodshed, for 
they think no means too cruel, base or unjust, to gratify 
their revenge. In short, they have a mixture of the most 
amiable virtues and most shocking vices; and while they 
affect a haughty air to those with whom they are unac¬ 
quainted, no people in the world are more courteous to 
those with whom they are intimate. 

LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE. 

The Spanish language is one of the three great south¬ 
ern dialects which spring from the Roman; but many 
of the words become dirhcult to the French or Italian 
student, because they are derived from the Arabic, used 



308 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 


by the Moors, who for seven centuries held dominion in 
this country. The speech is grave, sonorous, and of 
exquisite melody, containing much of the slow and for¬ 
mal manner of the Orientals, who seem sensible that 
the power of speech is a privilege. 

The literature of Spain is highly respectable, though 
little known to the other countries of Europe since the 
decline of Spanish power. The Bibliotheca Hispanica 
of Antonio will completely satisfy the curious reader on 
this subject. Among the fathers of literature in this 
country must be named Isidore of Seville, many of whose 
works are extant, and inferior in merit to few of that 
time. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

“ CLIMATE AMD SEASOMS. 

The climate of Spain has been deservedly praised, as 
equal if not superior to that of any country in Europe; 
but in the southern provinces, the heat is insalubrious; 
and malignant fevers sometimes sweep off great num¬ 
bers. This disaster probably originates from the neg¬ 
lected state of the country, from stagnant marshes, 
which might, if properly drained, supply running streams 
and verdant meadows. The south-east wind from Afri¬ 
ca, called Solano, has such inflammatory effects, that 
it is said, more murders are then committed during three 
days, than throughout the rest of the year. The chains 
of mountains which pervade Spain at different intervals 
from east to west, seem to temper the climate, and sup¬ 
ply cooling breezes. In the south, the sea breezes be¬ 
ginning about nine in the morning, and continuing till 
five in the evening, agreeably diversifies the warnith of 
the summer; and in the northern provinces, the severity 
of winter is allayed by the proximity of the ocean, which 
generally supplies gales, rather humid than frosty. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL, &c. 

The appearance of the country is, in most seasons, 
delightful, abounding with excellent and fragrant pastur- 



HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 309 

age, vineprds, and groves of orange trees; and the hills 
clothed with wild thyme, and other odorous plants. The 
rivers and streams are numerous; and the chains of 
mountains afford a grand variety to the prospect. 

The soil is generally light, and reposes on beds of plas¬ 
ter of Paris, itself an excellent manure. Wheat produces 
ten for one; and in rainy seasons fifteen. In the vale 
of Valencia, it yields from 20 to 40; barley from 18 to 
24; oats from 20 to dO; maize 100; and rice 40. Agri¬ 
culture is greatly impeded in Spain by the superior at¬ 
tention paid to the large fiocks of sheep, which are au¬ 
thorised by a special court, to travel from one province 
to another, as the season presents pasturage, in the vales 
or on the mountains. 


TURKEY IN EUROPE. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

THE Turkish empire, once so formidable to Europe, 
has lately sunk before the power of Russia; and may 
probably, at no very distant period, be utterly annihi¬ 
lated, or reduced to a few Asiatic provinces. 

EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES. 

Turkey in Europe extends about 870 miles in length, 
from the northern boundary of Moldavia to cape Mata- 
pan in the Morea; and 680 miles in breadth, from the 
river Unna to Constantinople. It is bounded on the east 
and south, by tlie Black sea, the sea of Marmora, the 
Archipelago, and the Mediterranean; on the north, by 
the river Dniester; and on the west, by the Mediterra¬ 
nean sea, and the Venetian and Austrian territories; and 
is computed to contain 182,560 square miles. 



POLITICAL GEOGRAITIY 


."10 

HISTOPvICAL EPOCHS. 

After the Romans had subdued the cities and countries, 
now subject to the Turkish empire, they became, in the 
fifth century, an important part of the Byzantine empire : 
their gradual subjugation by the Turks will appear by a 
reference to history. The most important epochs are: 

1 he conquest of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453. 

Their conquests in Egypt in 1517. 

The capture of the isle of Candia in 1669. 

Their successful war with the Russians and Austrians 
in 1736; 

The more recent wars of the Russians against the 
Turks, and the subsequent decline of the Ottoman em¬ 
pire. C 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGIOm , 

The established religion in this empire, is the Maho¬ 
metan, of the sect of the Sunnites. All other religions 
are tolerated, on paying a certain capitation. Among 
the Christians residing in Turkey, those of the orthodox 
Greeks are the most numerous, and they enjoy, among 
other privileges, that of being advanced to dignities and 
posts of trust and profit. The Turkish clergy are nu- 
* merous, being composed of all the learned in the empire, 
‘"and are the only teachers of the law, and must be con¬ 
sulted in all important cases. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The Sultan is a despotic sovereign, but he is strictly 
subject to the laws of the Koran, which, including also 
the national religion, raise such obstructions to his abso¬ 
lute will, that an intelligent traveller pronounces many 
Christian sovereigns more despotic. 

The Turkish laws are contained in the Koran, and in 
commentaries which have been constructed by their re- 



OF TURKEY IN EUROPE. 


311 


nownec) doctors, which have acquired the force of laws. 
1 he laws concerning property are sufficiently equitable, 
and it is a gross mistake to suppose that females do not 
inherit. 

POPULATION. 

Turkey in Europe has been computed to contain about 
8,000,000 inhabitants; it is probable that this number 
rather exceeds the truth, when the population even of 
the best provinces impresses all travellers with a striking 
defect. ' 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MMWjERS akd customs. 

. "Phe manners and customs of the Turks are distin¬ 
guished by the peculiarity of their religion from those of 
other European nations. On the birth of a child, the 
father himself gives the name, putting at the same time 
a grain of salt into its mouth. The circumcision is not 
performed till the age of twelve or fourteen. Marriage 
is only a civil contract, which either party may break, 
and is managed by female mediation, the youth seldom 
seeing his bride till after the ceremony. The dead are 
perfumed with incense, and buried in a cloth, open at the 
top and bottom, that the deceased may be able to sit up 
and answer the questions of the angels of death. 

The personal cleanliness of both sexes is highly lauda¬ 
ble. 'Fheir amusements partake of their indolent apathy, 
if we except hunting, and those of a military description. 

LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE. 

The I'urkish language is of far inferior reputation to 
the Persian or Arabic, being a mixture of several dialects, 
and possessing neither the force, elegance nor purity of 
those two celebrated oriental languages. 

The state of education among the 'Fiirks, may be con¬ 
ceived to be very low, and ignorance is, indeed, a chief 
part of the national character. The only profession 



312 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 


which requires a shadow of learning, is that of the law, 
which, as before explained, is intimately connected with 
their theology. The celebrated doctors have disciples, 
who are trained up lo that department; but there seems 
nothing that can deserve the name of college or uni¬ 
versity. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AAf'D SEASONS. . 

The extensive regions comprised within the limits of 
European Turkey, enjoy, in general, a delicious climate, 
pure air, and regular seasons. In the mountainous parts 
of the more southern districts, the temperature must par- 
/ take of the cold universal in such elevated regions ; but 
the products of Macedonia and Greece, rice, vines, olives, 
shew that the climate retains its ancient praise. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL, &c. 

The general appearance of Turkey in Europe is ra¬ 
ther mountainous; but abundantly interspersed with de¬ 
licious plains and vales; and to the north-west of Con¬ 
stantinople there is a plain country of vast extent, while 
the shores of the Euxine present many level deserts. 
Besides the grand stream of the Danube, many large and 
beautiful rivers intersect these provinces, and the nume¬ 
rous gulfs of the Archipelago and Mediterranean diver¬ 
sify and enrich the country. 

The soil is generally fertile, the northern parts pro¬ 
ducing wheat and rich pasture, the middle and southern 
abundance of rice. But agricultm’e, like every other 
art and science, is neglected by the Turks; and that soil 
must be truly fertile, which, under their sway, can sup¬ 
port its inhabitants. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


313 



/ 

ISLANDS BELONGING 


TO 

TURKEY IN EUROPE. 

The numerous islands in the Archipelago are by geo¬ 
graphers considered as belonging to Europe; except a 
few which approach the Asiatic shore, as Mytilcne^ Scio, 
Sa?no^'i, Cos, and Rhodes, 

The classical islands of ancient Greece have been so 
repeatedly described, that little more than an enumera¬ 
tion may suffice. The largest is that of Crete, or Can- 
dia, which is about 180 British miles in length, by forty 
at its greatest breadth. 

Next is JVegrofiont about 100 miles long and 20 broad. 

The other isles are generally of a diminutive size; and 
were divided by the ancients into separate groups, of 
which the Cyclades were the most memorable; while the 
Sfiorades approached the Asiatic shore. Other chief 
names are Lemnos, Skyro, and Andro, 


HOLLAND. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTEJVT AjYD BOUJVDARIES. , 

HOLLAND, or the Seven United Provinces, extend 
from the north of Groningen to the southern boundary, 
along Austrian Flanders and Brabant about 150 miles; 
and in breadth, from what is called the North sea to the 
circle of Westphalia, about 100 miles; and contains 10,000 
square miles. It is bounded on the east, by Germany; 





?14 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY 


south, by the Austrian and French Netherlands; west, 
and north, by the German ocean. 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

The first remarkable epoch, is the dependence of these 
provinces upon the kings of Spain. 

In 1579 they, under the conduct of the Prince of 
Orange, withdrew their allegiance from Spain, and 
formed the republic of the Seven United Provinces. 

In 1747, the Stadtholderate was declared hereditary, 
in the family of the Prince of Orange. 

In 1795, Ilolland became a prey to the French, and 
the Studtholder took refuge in England. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGIOX, 

The Protestant religion, and the Calvinistic form, pre¬ 
vails throughout the United Provinces ; but every reli¬ 
gion is permitted, on condition that they do not oppose 
the fundamental law's, or teach doctrines subversive of 
the state. 


GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The United Provinces were composed of seven repub¬ 
lics, each retaining its own states, consisting of nobles, 
and burgesses. 'I'he provincial states send deputies to 
the states-general, each republic having only one vote, 
though its deputies may be numerous. But the states- 
general seldom exceed tw'enty-six persons, who used to 
assemble in a small room at the Hague, enjoying the 
right of peace and war, appointing and receiving am¬ 
bassadors, naming the Grefiier, or secretary of state, 
and all the staff officers. The council of state directs 
the army and finances; and wdiat is called the council of 
deputies, considers the troops ancl finances of each pro- 



OF HOLLAND. 


315 


vince. The grand pensionary of Holland presides in the 
provincial states, and council of deputies of that country. 

Justice is administered according to the local customs 
and statutes of each province' and city, the ordinances 
of the states-general, and in defect of all these, the Ro¬ 
man code. Each province has a supreme court, to which 
appeals lie from the lower court of justice, except in cri¬ 
minal causes, in which the Stadtholder might pardon, 
by the consent of the president and superior court of eacii 
province, save in cases of murder and other ilagrant 
crimes. 


POPULATION. 

The population of the United Provinces has been re¬ 
cently computed at 2,758,632, and the extent of the ter¬ 
ritory in square miles being supposed 10,000, there will 
be 275 for each mile square. The population of Holland, 
is calculated at 980,000. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MJJVJN'ERS AJVD CUSTOMS. 

A stranger visiting Holland, is surprised at the ex¬ 
treme cleanliness observable in the houses and streets; 
even hamlets, inhabited by poor fishermen, displaying a 
neatness and freshness, which forms a striking contrast 
with the squalid appearance of the German villages. 
The air being always moist, and commonly cold, the 
Dutch dress is calculated for warmth, and not for ele¬ 
gance. Yet the people are fond of splendid exhibitions, 
and remarkably submissive to their superiors. The 
Dutch are of a phlegmatic temperament: and their cou¬ 
rage at sea, is rather obstinacy than ardour, while, from 
the same cause, their labour is rather slow perseverance, 
than impetuous strength, like that of the English. 



31G 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 


LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE. 

The Dutch language is a dialed of the German. 

Their literature is more respectable than that of the 
Netherlands. The mode of education pursued in these 
provinces, seems to have been greatly inferior to that 
used in Scotland, a country enjoying an ecclesiastic go¬ 
vernment somewhat similar. 'Fhe Dutch youths being 
chielly allotted to a seafaring life, there was not, indeed, 
that opportunity for numerous parochial schools, and 
consequent diffusion of common knowledge, which took 
place in Scotland. The most large and celebrated Latin 
schools were at Rotterdam, Breda, Middleburg, Gronin¬ 
gen, 8;c. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 


CLIMATE, SEASONS, ^c. 

Humidity and cold are the chief characteristics of the 
climate of the United Provinces. The general face of 
the country is that of a large marsh, which has been 
drained; the canals, and even the sea, looking pale and 
discoloured by mud; but the numerous and important 
cities and towns excite admiration, and the most digni¬ 
fied ideas of the wonderful powers of industry, which 
seems to have selected a chief seat amidst the greatest 
natural disadvantages. And even among these marshes, 
the eye is relieved by the groves, gardens, and meadows; 
and to the east of Utrecht the woods and hills gently swell 
towards Germany. 

The agriculture of such provinces cannot be expected 
to be considerable, the land being mostly-under pastur¬ 
age, except a few crops of madder and tobacco, which 
are cultivated with great predilection. 



HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


317 



DENMARK. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTEJ^T AKD BOUjYDARIES, 

FROM the river Elbe in the south, to the northern 
extremity of Danish Lapland and the wild environs of 
the river Tana, Denmark and Norway may be computed, 
after excluding the entrance of the Baltic, to be in extent 
no less than 1400 British miles in length, by a medial 
breadth of only 150. Of this great length, Denmark oc¬ 
cupies about 260-miles, while the remainder belongs to 
Norway. To the south, the Danish province of Holstein 
borders on the Avide territories of Germany; on the east, 
west, and north, Denmark is surrounded by the sea. 
The eastern limits of Norway are chiefly indicated by a 
long chain of mountains, passing between that country 
and Sweden. 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

The only memorable historical epoch which we shall 
mention, is the union of Norway with Denmark, in the 
year of our Lord 1387, since which period the events 
must be sought in the history of the latter kingdom, and 
anterior thereto in their respective histories. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION, 

The religion of Norway and Denmark is Lutheran. 
There is no archbishop; but the bishopricks are twelve, 
• six in Denmark, four in Norway, and two in Iceland. 
Dd2 





318 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

Since the revolution of 1660, the Danish government 
has been an absolute monarchy. The revolution was 
produced by disputes arising between the nobility, and 
the clergy and burgesses; the latter perceiving no other 
means of humbling the power of their adversaries, than 
by giving absolute power to the monarch. 

The Danish government has, however, been gene¬ 
rally conducted with mildness and moderation: and their 
regal acts pass through many councils, who carefully 
observe the legal forms. The laws are chiefly com¬ 
prised in the code of Christiern V, who reigned in the 
end of the seventeenth century. This code consists of 
six books: 1. on judgment and judges: 2. religion and 
religious orders: 3. civil and economical affairs: 4. na¬ 
vigation and maritime laws: 5. property: 6. crimes: 
forming only a small volume- like the laws of Sweden, 
Russia, and Prussia, while on the south of Europe, a 
life might be consumed in perusing the laws of some of 
the states. 


POPULATION. 

The population of the Danish dominions is computed 
at two millions and a lialf; though there seem little room 
to infer that it yields to that of Sweden. If we suppose 
the square contents to be about 180,000 miles, there 
will only be twelve inhabitants to the square mile. Nor¬ 
way is not supposed to contain more than 700,000 souls, 
nor Iceland above 50,000, the former only yielding six, 
the latter, one, to the square mile. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MJ.VjYERS AKD ClRiTOMS. 

The manners and customs of the superior Danes, dif¬ 
fer little from tl;ose of tlie same classes in other parts 
of Europe. To the disgrace of the government, the 
peasantry continue in a state of vassalage; except those 



OF DENMARK. 


319 


of the crown, who have been recently delivered by the 
patriotism of the heir apparent, and a few other instances. 
They are of course, idle, dirty, and dispirited; while 
those of Sweden appear to have been always free; nor 
would it be easy to fix the period, when vassalage, so 
foreign to the nature of the northern governments, first 
began in Denmark. 

LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE. 

If we except the Laponic, the languages spoken in the 
Danish dominions are all sister dialects of the Gothic: 
the Icelandic is the most ancient and venerable. Their 
literature cannot aspire to much antiquity, having follow¬ 
ed as usual the introduction of Christianity, which was 
not established till the 11th century. In Denmark each 
parish is provided with two or three schools, where chil¬ 
dren are taught to read and write their native tongue, 
and the principles of arithmetic. There are besides 
many classical schools maintained at their expense. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

^ CLIMATE AJVD SEASOJfS. 

The kingdom of Denmark proper, consisting of those 
ancient seats of the Danish monarchy, the isles of Zee- 
land, Funen, Laland, and Falster, with others of inferior 
size; and the extensive Chersonese or peninsula which 
contains Jutland, Sleswic, and Holstein, may be consi¬ 
dered as possessing a humid, and rather temperate cli¬ 
mate. Yet the winter is occasionally of extreme seve¬ 
rity, and the sea is impeded with ice. Norway, chiefly 
extending along the west side of the Scandinavian Alps, 
exposed to the vapours from the Atlantic, is not so cold 
a region as might be conceived. Finmark indeed feels 
the utmost rigour of winter; while in Iceland, on the 
contrary, that season is unexpectedly moderate, so as 
generally to permit the natives to cut turf even in Janu- 
aiy. 



3Q0 - DANISH ISLES. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL, 

“ The face of the country is prettily sprinkled with nu¬ 
merous lakes and rivulets, and thickly dotted with cottages 
rudely though not unpleasantly situated on rocky emi¬ 
nences, in the midst of the luxuriant forest.” The Nor¬ 
wegian Alps are frequently covered with dark forests of 
pines and fir, and the perpetual snow of the peaks is not 
accompanied with the glaciers and other terrors of tlic 
Alps. 

In Holstein, and the south of Jutland, the soil is fer¬ 
tile ; and Mr. Marshall compares the agriculture between 
Rypen and Warde with that of England, the fields di¬ 
vided by hedges and ditclies in excellent order, and sown 
with corn and turnips, the tillage being performed with 
only four oxen. 


DANISH ISLES. 


The prime seat of the Danish monarchy has ever been 
in the isles of Zeeland^ Laland^ Fahter^ and the others 
of the group. 

Then, off the western coast of Jutland, are the isles 
of M)rthstrand^ Fora^ Sylt^ Rom, Fanoe, and others. 

The Ferroe Isles remain an appendage to the Danish 
crown, they are seventeen in number and not unfertile; 
producing some barley and abundant pasturage for sheep. 
The inhabitants do not exceed 5000. 

Iceland, The large and celebrated isle of Iceland may 
be computed at 260 British miles in length, from west 
to east; and 200 in breadth, from north to south. The 
inhabitants do not exceed 50,000; the government was 
an aristocratic republic for about 387 years, till in 1261 
it submitted to Norway. 



‘ HISTORICAL geography. 


321 


SWEDEN. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES, 

THE kingdom of Sweden is of very considerable ex¬ 
tent, being from the most southern promontory of Scone, 
to the northern extremity of Swedish Lapland, not less 
than 1500 British miles in length; and from the Nor¬ 
wegian alps to the limits of Russia about 600; the con¬ 
tents in square miles have been computed at 208,912. 

It is bounded on the north by the Frozen Ocean, east 
by Russia, South by Denmark and the Baltic, west by 
Norway. 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

The most memorable epochs are the conquest of Den¬ 
mark, by Olaf H, about the year 900. 

The partial conversion of Sweden to Christianity, in 
the year 1000. 

The emancipation from the Danish yoke, by Gustavus 
Vasa, in the year 1523. 

The reign of Charles XH, the Alexander of Europe, 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION, 

The religion of Sweden is the Lutheran. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

By the active union of 1789, the constitution became 
an absplute monarchy. The monarch having not only 





322 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 


arrogated the rights of peace and war, and the adminis¬ 
tration of justice, but the imposition of taxes without the 
consent of the diet, which cannot deliberate on any sub¬ 
ject till it is proposed by the sovereign. The diet con¬ 
sists of nobles, landed gentlemen, clergy, and burgesses 
or deputies of towns and those of the peasantry. 

POPULATION. 

When the great extent of the Swedish territory is con¬ 
sidered, the population will appear comparatively small 
not exceeding in all 3,000,000. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

M^JVJV'ERS AND CUSTOMS. 

The manners and customs of the superior classes in 
Sweden are so much tinged with those of the French, 
their allies, that no striking peculiarity can be observed 
and even the peasantry have so much vivacity and ad¬ 
dress, that they liave been styled the French of the north. 

LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE. 

The language of Sweden is a dialect of the Gothic, 
being a sister of the Danish, Norwegian, and Icelandic. 
In the antiquity of literature, Sweden cannot vie with 
Denmark, Norway, or Iceland, the most early native 
chronicle being not more ancient than the 14th century. 
Their manner of education has been neglected by tra¬ 
vellers and geographers, though perhaps one of the most 
important branches in the whole circle of human affairs. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AND SEASONS. 

The different parts of Sweden present considerable 
variety of temperature, but even in the middle regions 
the winter maintains a long and dreary sway. In the 



SWEDISPI ISLES. 


32S 


most southern provinces where the grand mass of the 
population is centered, the climate may be compared to 
that of Scotland, which lies under the same parallel. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL, See. 

No country can be diversified in a more picturesque 
manner, with extensive lakes, large transparent rivers, 
winding streams, wild cataracts, gloomy forests, verdant 
vales, stupendous rocks, aud cultivated fields. 

The soil is not the most propitious; but agriculture is 
conducted with skill and industry, so as much to exceed 
that of Germany, and Denmark. Even I'inland presents 
many rich pastures, and not a few fields of rye, oats, 
and barley. It is supposed, that in the south of Sweden, 
by draining and other improvements, a sufficient quantity 
of wheat might be raised for the supply of the kingdom. 


SWEDISFI ISLES. 


Sweden possesses many isles scattered in the Baltic 
sea and gulf of Bothnia. 

lingerie the most southernly, affords, as it were, a 
passage to the Swedish possessions in Pomerania. 

Odand^ further to the north, is about 70 miles long 
and 6 broad, and contains about 8000 inhabitants. 

Gothland^ which occurs next, is about 70 miles long 
and 24 broad. 

The Isles of Aland mark the entrance of the Bothnic 
Gulf, the longest of which is about 40 miles in length, 
and 15 in breadth, and contains about 9000 inhabitants. 



324 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


PORTUGAL. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES. 

PORTUGAL extends about 360 British miles in length, 
and 120 in breadth; and is supposed to contain about 
27,280 square miles. It is bounded on the north and 
east by Spain; and on the south and west by the Atlan¬ 
tic Ocean. 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

The most memorable epochs are the seizure of Por¬ 
tugal, by Philip II, king of . Spain, in 1580. 

The revolution of 1640, which placed the house of 
Braganza on the throne of Portugal. 

* The earthquake at Lisbon in 1755. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION 

The religion of Portugal is the Roman Catholic, and 
a strict observance of its duties, forms one of the na¬ 
tional characteristics; the men vying with the women 
in attention to their repeated daily devotions. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The constitution of Portugal is a monarchy, absolute 
and hereditary; yet in case of the king’s demise without 
male issue, he is succeeded by his next brother, whose 
sons have, however, no right to the throne till confirm¬ 
ed by the states. 





OF PORTUGAL. 


325 


The chief articles of the constitution are contained in 
the statues of Lamego, issued by Alphonso I, in 1145. 
The king’s titles are numerous; that of the heir appa¬ 
rent is prince of Brazil; his eldest son prince of Beira. 
The laws have few particularities; they are lenient in 
cases of theft, which must be repeated four times before 
death be the punishment. An adultress is condemned 
to the flames; but this like other laws too severe for the 
offence, is never put in execution. 

POPULATION. 

The population of Portugal may be estimated at about 

2 , 000 , 000 . 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

A.YD CUSTOMS. 

In diet the Portuguese are temperate or rather abste¬ 
mious; their chief amusement consists in bull fights. 
The arts and sciences are almost entirely neglected, ex¬ 
cept by a few among the clergy. 

LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE. 

The language is supposed to be derived from the dif¬ 
ferent dialects of the south of France. It is a grave and 
solemn speech, but would have been little known among 
foreigners, had it not been diffused by the fame of the 
Lusiad. 

The literature of Portugal may be said to commence 
with Deniz, the 6th sovereign, who cultivated poetry 
and the belles lettres, and founded the university of Co¬ 
imbra. Education, in general, is at present much neg¬ 
lected in Portugal. 



32'6 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AjYD SEASO.YS. 

The climate of Portugal is familiary known to be most 
excellent and salutary. At Lisbon the days of fair 
weather are computed to amount to 200 in the year; 
and those of settled rain seldom exceed eighty. The 
medial heat is generally about 60 degrees. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL, &c. 

The face of the country is generally fertile, though 
with many acclivities; and in the north-east corner there 
rises a considerable cluster of mountains, seemingly un¬ 
connected with the great Spanish chains. The numer¬ 
ous vineyards, and groves of orange and lemon trees, 
conspire with the crystal streams, and verdant vales, to 
impart great beauty and diversity to this favoured coun¬ 
try. 

The soil, like that of Spain, is generally light; but 
the agriculture in rather a neglected state; and the farm¬ 
ers have a singular prejudice that soils of different qua¬ 
lities are equally adapted to any vegetables. The ground 
is rather scratched than ploughed, and is sown imme¬ 
diately ; nor is the operation of the harrow much regarded. 


SWISSERLAND. 

HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. , 

EXTEATT AA^D BOUA^DARIES. 

THE length from east to west extends about 200 Bri¬ 
tish miles, and in breadth from north ‘to south about 130; 
it contains about 14,960 square miles?* is bounded on 





OF SWISSERLAND. 


*y 

0-^7 


the north, by Germany; east, by Tyrol and the lake of 
Constance; south, by Italy; and west, by France. 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

The first historical epoch, is the wars with the Ro¬ 
mans and the subjugation of the Helvetii. 

The conversion of the country to Christianity by the 
the Irish monks, in the beginning of the 7th century. 

The commencement of the Swiss emancipation, in the 
year 1307, and the subsequent troubles of the house of 
Austria. 

The dissolution of their confederacy by the French in¬ 
vasion, in the year 1798. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION 

The religion of the Swiss countries is in some the Ro¬ 
man Catholic, in others the Reformed. In general, the 
two persuasions live in the most amiable unity and mode¬ 
ration. 

GOVERNMENT AND LAWS. 

The government of Swisserland in part retained much 
of the fuedal aristocratic form; in tlie eye of the most 
candid observers it has degenerated into a venal oligarchy 
more intent on procuring lucrative offices than on pro¬ 
moting the general advantage. Other parts were more 
democratic: but the recent subversion of the government 
by the French, has for some time reduced Swisserland 
to a province. 

The laws, of course, partook of the nature of the go¬ 
vernment of each canton; and under the aristocracies 
was sufficiently jealous and severe. Yet Swisserland was 
one of the happiest countries in Europe; and recommend¬ 
ed itself to the most intelligent observers equally by mo¬ 
ral and by physical grandeur and beauty. 


323 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY 


POPULATION. 

The population of Swisserland is generally computed 
at 2,000,000, or about 130 to the square mile. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MM'jVERS customs. 

Amidst the general corruption of manners, those of 
the Swiss have long excited applause, from their moral 
uniformity, and frank independence. The writings of 
Rousseau and other celebrated authors, have depicted 
the Swiss manners in almost every point of view, so that 
the theme has become trivial. Though moderate in 
diet, the Swiss are attached to wine, which produces 
gaiety and not irritation. The houses are generally 
constructed of wood, in the most simple form, with 
staircases on the outside; yet their appearance singularly 
coincides with the picturesque character of the country. 
The dress of the lower ranks is little subject to the laws 
of fashion, and in many cantons there are regulations to 
prevent idle ornament. Among the superior classes the 
manners may be considered as partly German, partly 
French; but it may be imagined, that at present, the 
latter preponderate. 

LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE. 

The language of Swisserland is various: a dialect of 
the German is common; yet the French is much diffused, 
and is often used by their best authors. In the most 
southern part the Italian is the common tongue. 

Early monuments of the Swiss literature may be found 
in the collection of Goldastus. It would be tedious to 
enumerate the many ancient literary characters, Swisser¬ 
land may justly boast of. Although travellers are silent 
upon the subject of education, any further than testify¬ 
ing their surprize at the knowledge prevalent among the 
peasantry, we have reason to infer that this useful pro¬ 
vince is not neglected. 



OF SWISSERLAND. 


329 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE AJID SEASOJVS, 

The climate of Swisserland is deservedly celebrated as 
salubrious aud delightful. From its southern position, con¬ 
siderable heat might be expected; but this, though suffi¬ 
cient to mature the grape, is attempered by the cold gales 
Irom the Alps and glaciers. When the sun descends 
beyond mount Jura, on a summer evening, the Alpine 
summits long reflect the ruddy splendor, and the lakes, 
for near an hour, assume the appearance of burnished 
gold. The winter is, however, in some parts extremely 
severe; and the summer heat, in the deep vales, some¬ 
times oppressive. 

FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL, 8cc. 

No country in the world excels Swisserland in diver¬ 
sity of appearance; the vast chain of Alps, with enor¬ 
mous precipices, extensive regions of perpetual snow, 
and glaciers that resemble seas of ice, are contrasted by 
the vineyard, and cultivated field, the richly wooded brow, - 
and the verdant and tranquil vale, with its happy cottages 
and crystal streams. 

Agriculture of course cannot be carried to great ex¬ 
tent; but there is no defect of industry, and the grain 
seems sufficient for domestic consumption. 


GERMAN STATES. 

HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

'EXTEJ\rr AJ\rD boujvdaries, 

GERMANY considered in its modern limits, extends 
600 miles from north to south, and about 500 miles from 
Ee2 



330 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY 


east to west. It is bounded on the north, by the Ger¬ 
man ocean, Denmark and the Baltic; east, by Poland 
and Hungary; south, by Swisserland and the Alps, 
which divide it from Italy; and west, by the dominions 
of France and the Low Countries, from which it is sepa¬ 
rated by the Rhine, Moselle, and Maese or Meuse. 

This empire is composed of the following divisions, 
viz. Upper Saxonyy Lower Saxonyy Westphaliay Upper 
Rhiney Lower Rhiney Burgundyy Franconiay Sxvabiuy Ba- 
variay and Austria^ 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

The events most necessary to be here related, are: 

The declaration of Charlemagne as emperor of the 
west, in the year of our Lord 800. 

Henry duke of Saxony chosen emperor, in the year 
918. 

The ascent of Frederick Barbarossa to the imperial 
throne, in the year 1152, is a memorable epoch. 

After many contests, the sceptre was assigned'to the 
house of Austria, in 1273, and continued to remain in 
that family. 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGIOM * 

The religion of the greater part of Germany may be 
pronounced to be the Reformed, first introduced into Sax¬ 
ony by Luther. Yet the south continues firmly attached 
to the Roman Catholic faith, now chiefly supported by 
the house of Austria. The government is that of an 
aristocracy, w'hich elects a monarch, who may be of any 
family. Catholic, Lutheran, or Calvinist. To consider 
the constitution at length, .which has been called by a 
German writer “ a confusion supported by Providence,” 
would be foreign to the nature of this work; and indeed 
little interesting, as being an antiquated and incflicacious 
system, expected speedily to sink under the power of 



OF THE GERMAN STATES. 


OO i 

Prussia and Austria. The work of Putter may be con¬ 
sulted by those who have patience to investigate such 
subjects. 

POPULATION. 

The population of Germany in general, is computed 
at little more than 25,000,000. It is generally supposed 
that the empire, can, if united, send forth an army of 
400,000 men. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MJJVJVERS, CUSTOMS, ijfc. 

The manners, customs and dialects vary according to 
the different states. The Saxon is acco\mted the purest 
and most classical idiom of the German tongue; and the 
southern dialects the most uncouth. The language and 
literature of Saxony are the most distinguished in all 
Germany; most of the writers who have refined the lan¬ 
guage, having been born or having resided in this coun¬ 
try. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

FACE OF THE COUJVTRY. 

To the north of the Mayn Germany chiefly presents 
wide sandy plains, which seem as if they had been, in 
the first ages of the world, overwhelmed by the sea. A 
few hills begin to appear in the neighbourhood of Min- 
den; and in the south cf the Hanoverian dominions arise 
the most northern mountains of Germany, those of 
Blocksberg, and others in the Hartz. To the south- 
M'est are the mountains of Hessia, and others, extend¬ 
ing towards the Rhine: while on the east, the rich and 
variegated country of Saxony, one of the most beautiful 
and fertile in the empire, extends to the southern limits 
of the mountains of Erzgeberg, abundant in mines and 
singular fossils. 



HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY 


The regions to the south of the Mayn may be regard¬ 
ed as rather mountainous, while our maps represent 
Germany as one continued plain. 


ITALIAN STATES. 


HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION, 

ITALY is divided into three parts, the southern^ cen¬ 
tral^ and northern. 

The southern part is composed of Naples and Sicily 
with the adjacent isles; the central part of the Dominions 
of the Churchy Tuscany^ Lucca^ St: Marino^ Piombino^ and 
the isle of Elba; and the northern part of Peidmont^ ML 
lan^ Mantua^ Parma and Placentia^ Modena, and Genoa, 

EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES. 

Italy from the highest summits of the Italian Alps to 
the cape de Leuca, is about 670 British miles in length, 
while the medial breadth between the Adriatic and Me¬ 
diterranean is only about 100, but from the Adige, the 
recent limits of Austrian power, to the eastern frontiers 
of the new French departments of Liman and Mont 
Blanc, the breadth is about 200 miles. The boundaries 
of this renowned country are deeply impressed by the 
hand of nature, in the Adriatic and Mediterranean seas, 
and the grand barrier of the Alps, which divide it from 
France, Swisserland, and Germany. 

HISTORICAL EPOCHS. 

The foundation of Rome, about the year 753, before 
the Christian xra. 

The placing of St. Peter at the head of the church, in 
the 33d year of Christ. 

The accession of the present Pope, in 1800. 



OF THE ITALIAN STATES. 


o jo 


POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

RELIGION 

The established religion of Italy is the Roman Catho¬ 
lic : other religions are tolerated; even the Jews are not 
molested in the public exercise of their religious rites. 

GOVERNMENT. 

There are many different sovereignties in Italy. It 
is divided into little republics, principalities, and duke¬ 
doms, which in spiritual matters are subject to the Pope. 

POPULATION. 

The present population of Italy, with the islands of 
Sicily and Sardinia, cannot be estimated at .more than 
13,000,000. The kingdom of Naples and Sicily contain 
about 6,000,000; the central part about 3,000,000 j and 
the northern about 4,000,000. 


CIVIL GEOGRAPHY. 

MJjYjYERS, customs, a,yd language. 

The manners, customs, and dialects are various and 
discordant, though the general language be the Italian, 
esteemed the purest in Tuscany, while the enunciation 
is most perfect at Rome. 


NATURAL GEOGRAPHY. 

CLIMATE, SEASONS, tsfc. 

The country is so fine and fruitful that it is commonly 
called the garden of Europe. The air is temperate and 
wholesome, excepting the territory of the Church, where 
it is very indifferent. The soil is fertile, and produces 



554 


ASIA. 


wheat, rice, wine, oil, oranges, and all sorts of fruits, 
flowers, honey, silk, and in the kingdom of Naples are 
cotton and sugar. On the mountains are fine pastures 
which feed great numbers of cattle. 


Having thus given a description sufficiently ample, as 
is presumed of America and Europe, that of the remain- ^ 
ing two quarters of the globe shall be more restricted, 
as the topics are generally less alluring to the American 
reader, and in many instances the materials are imper¬ 
fect. Of some of the vast central regions of Africa lit¬ 
tle is known; but Asia presents a more extensive theme, 
and teems with scenes of injportant events in ancient 
and modern history. 


ASIA. 


EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES. 

THIS great division of the earth extends, in length, 
from the Hellespont to what is called the East Cape; 
that is from about the 26th degree of longitude, east from 
London, into the other hemisphere to near 190 degrees 
of east longitude, or 470 degrees west from London; 
being no less than 164 degrees or (taking the degree at 
a medial latitude) more than 6500 geographical miles. 
From the southern cape of Malacca to the cape of Ceve- 
ro Vostochnoi, which braves the ice of the Arctic ocean, 
the breadth extends from about 2 degrees of northern 
latitude to tibout 77 degrees or nearly 4,500 geographi¬ 
cal miles. If, for the sake of a rude and merely com¬ 
parative calculation, one sixth part be added for the dif- 





ASIA. 


335 


ferencc between the statute and geographical mile, the 
length of Asia in British miles would be about 7583; 
and the breadth 5250. 

It is bounded on the east, by a straight which divides 
it from America, and which, in honour of Beering the' 
discoverer, is called Beering’s straight; on the north and 
south, by the Arctic and Indian oceans; and west, by 
the eastern boundary of Europe already described. 

ORIGINAL POPULATION. 

The population is, by all authors, allowed to be wholly 
primitive and original. Here was man first created; 
from hence was the world peopled after the deluge; it 
was this quarter of the globe where our Saviour was born 
and suftered Tor the redemption of mankind : this was, 
in short, the theatre of almost every action recorded in 
the Holy Scriptures. This extensive portion of the earth 
was governed, in the earliest ages, by the Assynans^ Scy¬ 
thians, Mecles, Parthians, Persians, and Greeks, The 
Romans, upon the extinction of these empires, carried 
their arms even beyond the Ganges, till in turn they 
Avere conquered by the Mahometans or Saracens, w'ho 
spread their devastations over the country, rendering the 
most fertile spots of Asia, wild and uncultivated deserts. 


336 


ASIA. 


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Besides these divisions of Asia are innumerable islands 
which may be classed in the following order: 

ASIATIC ISLES. 


CONTAINING, 

1 T/te isles of Sunda, 

2 Borneo, 

3 The Philififiine islands, 

4 I'he Celebezian isles, 

5 The Spice islands. 











ASIA* 


357 


^ / •- AUSTRALASIA. 

CONTAINING, 

1 J^enx) IIolla7id» 

2 jVt’W Guinea, 

3 J^env Britain and J^Tew Ireland^ with the Solomon Isles, 

4 Mw Caledonia and the JStew Hebudes, 

5 JVenv Zealand, 

6 Van Deimens land, 

POLYNESIA. 

CONTAINING, 

1 The Pelew Isles, 

2 The Ladrones, 

3 The Carolines, 

4 The Sundivick Isles, 

5 The Marquisas, 

6 The Society Isles, 

7 The Friendly Isles, 

There are besides these many isles scattered in dif¬ 
ferent directions, which would be difficult to connect 
with any group; and, indeed, none of them yet disco¬ 
vered, that appear to be of any consequence. 

The climate of Asia admits of every variety from the 
Equator to the Arctic sea. 

SEAS. 

Though Asia cannot vie with Europe in the advan¬ 
tages of Inland seas, yet, in addition to a share of the 
Mediterranean, it possesses the Fed Sea^ the Arabian 
Sea, and Gulf of Persia, the Bays of Bengal and JVan~ 
kin; and other gulfs, v/hich diversify the coasts much 
more than those of Africa or America, and have doubt¬ 
less contributed greatly to the early civilization of this 
celebrated division of the earth. 

RIVERS. 

The chief rivers of Asia are the Kian Ku and Hoan 
Ho, the Lena, the Yenisei, and the Ob, streams which ri¬ 
val in the length of their course any others on the globe. 
The Volga has been named among the rivers of Europe, 
to which the principal part of its course belongs. Next 

Ff 


AFRICA. 


SoS 

in consequence are the Amur^ and the Maykaung of Laos^ 
if the course be rightly delineated, the Samjioo or Bur- 
ramfiooter^ and the Ganges; compared M’ith all which, 
the Euphrates and the Indus hide their diminished heads. 

MOUNTAINS. 

The Asiatic mountains are said not to equal the Euro¬ 
pean in height. The Uralian chain^ forming a boundary 
of Europe, has been already described. 

The Altaian chain may be classed among the most ex¬ 
tensive on the globe, reaching from about the seventieth 
to the hundred and fortieth degree of longitude, east 
from London, or about 5000 miles, thus rivalling in 
length, the Andes of South America. 

GOVERNMENT. 

The Asiatic governments are almost universally des¬ 
potic, and the very idea of a commonwealth seems to be 
\inknown; the mildest systems are perhaps those found 
in Arabia. 


AFRICA. 

EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES. 

THIS continent is, after Asia and America, the third 
in size; but in political and'^ethical estimation is the last 
and meanest of the four great divisions of the earth. 
From the southern extremity to the Mediterranean are 
about seventy degrees of latitude or 4200 geographical 
miles. The breadth, from 18 degrees west to 51 degrees 
east, may be assumed on the equator at 4140 geogra¬ 
phical miles. The name is supposed to have spread by 
degrees from a small province, in the north, over the 
rest of the continent. 

It is bounded on the north, by the Mediterranean sea, 
by which it is separated from Europe; on the east, ])y 



AFRICA 


339 


the Isthmus of Suez, the Red sea and the Indian ocean, 
which divide it from Asia; on the south, by the Southern 
ocean; and on the west, by the great Atlantic ocean, 
which separates it from America. ’ 

ORIGINAL POPULATION. 

In the central parts on the south, the population ap¬ 
pears to be indigenous and peculiar, these being the na¬ 
tive regions of the negroes, whose colour, features, and 
hair distinguish them from all the other races of man¬ 
kind. In the northern parts there have been many suc¬ 
cessions of inhabitants; while further to the west the 
Carthagenians passed from Syria: other maritime parts 
were peopled by the Medes, Persians, and Armenians. 


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AFRICA. 


34(3 

The principal nations, settlements, Sec. on the western 
coast of Africa, may be classed in the followinj^ 
order: 

The Jalofs, 

The Toulahs, 

The kingdom of Benin» 

Loango, 

Congo, 

The colony of the Cape of Good Hope, 

The eastern coast of Africa is divided in the following 
order: 

The coast of Xatal, 

Delagoa, 

The kingdom of Macaranga, and 
The kingdom of Mozambie. 

The principal isles belonging to Africa, arc: 
Madagascar, 

' Pemba, 

Comoro, 

Mauritius and Bourbon, 

Kerguelen's Land, 

St, Helena, 

Ascension, 

Cape Verd islands. 

Canaries^ and 
Madeira, 

CLIMATE. 

The climate which in the north is intensely hot, is 
rather more moderate in the southern extremity, the 
antarctic cold being more powerful than that of the other 
pole. In the centre it would appear that there is a pro¬ 
digious ridge of mountains, extending from those of 
Kong in the west to those of Kumri or of the moon, and 
those of Abyssinia in the east; the whole range being 
about north latitude 10 degrees. And from this another 
chain seems to extend, about longitude 30 degrees east 
from Greenwich, in a southern direction. These ran ges 


AFRICA. 


341 


of mountains may probably be found to present a climate 
not expected in the torrid zone, and as adverse to the 
ancient belief, as that of South America, in which the 
chief features are the Maranon, and excess of moisture: 
and mountains clothed with perpetual snow. 

RIVERS. 

The chief river hitherto discoverecl is the which 
rises in a district called Donga, north latitude 8 degrees, 
_the comparative course of which may be estimated at 
about "2000 British nnles, thus nearly rivailing the long¬ 
est American rivers; and it is at any rate, only supposed 
to be exceeded by the Maranon, and probably by the 
Missouri. I'he other chief rivers are the JVigir and the 
Gir, the course of each being probably about 1000 Bri¬ 
tish miles; that of Senegal is also considerable. In the 
southern parts there are also some considerable rivers, 
but the geography of these is too imperfect to be here 
noticed. 


DESERTS. 

The most striking feature of Africa consists in the 
immense deserts which pervade many parts of that con¬ 
tinent, and may perhaps be found to comprise one half 
of its whole extent. 

Of the chief is that called Zaara or the Desert^ by emi¬ 
nence, stretching from the shores of the Atlantic, with 
few interruptions, to the coniines of Egypt, a space 
of more than forty-five degrees, or about 2500 geogra¬ 
phical miles, by a breadth of twelve degrees, or 720 
miles. This prodigious expanse of red sand, and sand 
stone rock, presents, as it were, the ruins of a continent; 
and perhaps gave rise to the fable of Atlantis, a region ' 
at hrst conceived to be seated in the sands on the west 
of Egyp^t; and afterwards, like other fables, passing 
gradually further before the light of discovery. This 
'enipireof sand defies every exertion of hun’an pow'er 
or ^duslry; but it is interspersed with various islands 
of cufferent sizes, of which Fezzan is the chief which has 
yet been explored. 


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A 


CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE 

OF 


Remarkable Events^ Discoveries^ and 
Inventions. 


Before Christ. 

4004 THE creation of the world, and of Adam and Eve. 

3017 Enoch translated into heaven. 

2348 The old world destroyed by a deluge which continued 377 
days. 

2247 The tower of Babel is built about this time by Noah’s pos¬ 
terity; upon which God miraculously confounds their 
language, and thus disperses them into different 
nations. 

869 The city of Carthage, in Africa, founded by Qiieen Dido. 

814 The kingdom of Macedon begins. 

776 The first Olympiad begins. 

753 JEra. of the building of Rome in Italy by Romulus, first 
King of the Romans. 

600 Maps, globes, and the signs.of the Zodiac, invented by 
Anaximander, the scholar of Thales. 

587 The city of Jerusalem taken, after a siege of 18 months. 

559 Cyrus the first king of Persia. 

538 The kingdom of Babylon destroyed; that city being taken by 
Cyrus, who, in 536 issued an edict for the return of the 
Jew's. 

481 Xerxes, King of Persia, begins his expedition against Greece 

454 The Romans send to Athens for Solon’s laws. 

451 The decemvirs created at Rome, and the laws of the twelve 
tables compiled and ratified. 

336 Philip, King of Macedon, murdered, and succeeded by his 
son, Alexander the Great. 


344 


CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE, 


Before Christ. 

332 Ale^andna in Egypt built. 

331 Alexander, King of Macedon, conquers Darius, King of 
Persia, and other nations of Asia 

190 The first Roman army enters Asia, and from the spoils of 
Antiochus brings the Asiatic luxury to Rome. 

52 Julius Ctesar makes his hi st expedition into-Britain. 

45 The war of Africa, in which Cam kills himself. 

44 Caesar killed in the senate house, af er having fought fifty 
pitched battles, and overturned the liberties of his coun¬ 
try. 

30 Alexandria taken by Octavius, and Egypt reduced to a Ro¬ 
man province. 

27 Octavius, by a decree of the senate, obtains the title of Au¬ 
gustus Caesar, and an absolute exemption from the laws, 
and IS properly the hrst Roman Emperor. 

8 The temple of J anus is shut by Augustus, as an emblem of uni¬ 
versal peace, 

Jfter Christ. 

22 Christ disputes with the Doctors in the temple. 

29 - is baptized in the wilderness by John. 

33 - is crucified on Friday, April 3, at 3 o’clock, P. M. 

His Resurrection on Lord’s day, April 5; His Ascension, 
Thursday, May 14. 

40 The name of Christians first given at Antioch to the folloSVerfi 
of Christ. 

60 Christianity preached in Britain. 

64 Rome set on fire, and burned for six days; upon which began 
under Nero, the first persecution against the Christians. 

67 St. Peter and St. Paul put to death. 

70 Titus lakes Jerusalem, which is razed to the ground, and the 
plough made to pass over it. 

274 Silk first brought from India; and the manufactory of it in¬ 
troduced into Europe, 551. 

426 The Romans withdraw their troops from Britain, and never 
return, advising the Britons to arm in their own defence, and 
trust to their own valour. 

432 St. Pa*^rick began to preach in Ireland : he died 17th March, 
493, aged 122 years. 

447 Attila (surnamed the Scourge of Gcd) with hi$ Huns, ra¬ 
vages the Roman empire. 

476 The wes'ern empire entirely destroyed; upon the ruins of 
which several new s a*es arise in Italy and other parts, 
consisting of Goths, Vandals, Huns, and other barba¬ 
rians; under whom literature is extinguished, and the 
works of the learned are destroyed. 

496 Clovis, Kirtg of France baptized, and Christianity begins in 
that kingdom. 




CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE 


S45 


After Christ. 

516 The computing of time by the Christian aera is introduced by 
Dionysius the monk. 

557 A terrible plague all over Europe, Asia, and Africa, which 
continues nearly 50 years. 

600 Bells first used in churches. 

685 I'he Britons totally e.vpelled by the Sa.xons, and driven into 
Wales and Cornwall. 

713 The Saracens conquer Spain. 7'heir progress stopped in 
France by Charles Martel, in 732. 

800 Charlemagne, King of France, begins the empire of Ger¬ 
many, afterwards called the western empire, and endea¬ 
vours in vain to restore learning in Europe. 

886 Juries first instituted. 

896 Alfred the Great, after subduing the Danish invaders, com¬ 
poses his body of laws, divides England into counties, 
hundreds, and tythings; erects county courts, and founds 
the University of Oxford about this time. 

1096 The first crusade to the Holy Land began to drive the infi¬ 
dels fom Jerusalem. 

1186 The great conjunction of the sun and moon, and all the 
planets in J^ibra, happened in September. 

1215 Magna Charta is signed by King John and the Barons; and 
the following year it is granted to the Irish by Henry HI. 

1252 Magnifying gla.sses invented by Roger Bacon. 

1258 The Tartars take Bagdad, which puts an end to the empire t 
of the Saracens. 

1273 The empire of the present Austrian family' begins in Ger¬ 
many. 

1280 Gunpowder invented by Roger Bacon. 

1283 Llewellyn, prince of Wales, defeated and killed by Edward I. 
who unites that principality to England. 

1300 About this time the mariner’s compass was invented, or im¬ 
proved, by John Gioia, or Goya, a Neapolitan. .The 
fleur de luce, the arms of the duke of Anjou, then king 
of Naples, was placed by him at the point of the needle, 
in compliment of that prince. 

1340 Gunpowder first suggested as useful for warlike purposes, by 
Swartz, a monk of Cologne; 1346, Edward III had four 
pieces of cannon, which contributed to gain him the bat¬ 
tle of Cressy. 

1430 Laurentius of Haerlem, invents the art of printing, which 
he prac ised with separate wooden types. Guttemburg 
afierwards invented cut metal types. Peter Schoeller in¬ 
vented the mode of casting types in matrices. But the 
most authenric accounts ascribe the invention of printing 
to Dr. Faust, or Faustus, in 1444. 

1446 The Vatican library founded at Rome. ' 

The sea breaks in at Dort, in Holland, and drowns 100,000 
people. 


S46 


CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE 


After Christ. 

1453 Constantinople taken by the Turks, which utterly overthrows 

the Roman empire. 

1454 Otto Guerick, a German, invents the air pump. 

1492 America discovered by Columbus. 

1497 The Portuguese first sail to the East Indies by the Cape of 
Good Hope. 

South America discovered by Americus Vespucius, from 
whom the continent unjustly takes its name. 

North America discovered by Sebastian Cabot. 

1530 Copernicus revives the Pythagorean system of Astronomy. 
1553 Circulation of the blood through the lungs first published by 
Michael Servetus. 

1583 Tobacco first brought from Virginia into England. 

1587 Mary, Qiieen of Scots, is beheaded by order of Elizabeth, 
after 18 years imprisonment. 

1614 New York and New Jersey settled by the Dutch. 

1618 New Holland discovered by the Dutch. 

1619 Dr. W. Harvey, an Englishman, fully confirms the doctrine 

of the circulation of the blood, 

1620 The broad silk manufactory from raw silk introduced into 

England. 

Plymouth in New England, planted by a part of Mr. Robin* 
son’s congregation. 

1623 New Hampshire settled by an English Colony. 

1625 The island of Barbadoes, the first English settlement in the 
West Indies, is planted. 

1627 A colony of Swedes settled on Delaware river, Pennsylvania. 
1633 Maryland settled by Lord Baltimore, with a colony of Ca¬ 
tholics. 

163.5 Connecticut and Rhode Island settled. 

1638 Haivard college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, established. 
1655 The English under A.dmiral Penn, take Jamaica from the . 
Spaniards. 

1665 The plague rages in London. 

1666 The great fire of I.ondon begat*, September 2, and continued 

three days, in which were destroyed 13,000 houses and 
400 streets. 

1669 South Carolina planted by an English colony, under Governor 
Sayle. 

1681 William Penn, a Quaker, receives a charter for planting 
Pennsylvania, which began this year. 

1688 The Revolution in Great Britain begins, Nov. 5. King James 
retires to France, Dec. 3. 

1700 Yale college established at Saybrook, Connecticut—removed 
to New Haven, 1716. 

1706 The Treaty of Union between England and Scotland, signed 
June 22. 

1715 The rebellion in Scotland begins in. September, under the 


CHRONOLOGICAL TABLt. 347 


Jfter Christ. 

Earl of Mar, in favour of the Pretender; quelled the 
same year. 

1727 Inoculation first tried on criminals with success. 

1732 Feb. 22, GEORGE WASHINGTON, the Father of his 
country y was born in the parish of Washington, Virginia. 
1735 Oct. 19, John Adams, author of the “ Defence f the Ame- 
rican Constitution f was born at Braintree, Massachusetts. 
1752 Identity of electric fire and lightning, discovered by Dr. 

Franklin, who thereupon invented a method of securing 
buildings from thunder storms. - 
1755 Lisbon destroyed by an earthquake. 

1762 American Philosophical Society established in Philadelphia. 

1774 Boston port bill passed March 25. 

Deputies from the several American colonies meet at Phila-* 
delphia, as the first general Congress, October 26. 

First petition of Congress to the King, November. 

1775 April 19. The first action happened in America, between > 

the British troops and the Americans, at Lexington in 
Massachusetts. 

1777 Battle of Brandywine. 

General Howe takes possession of Philadelphia, September. 
Lieutenant General Burgoyne is obliged to surrender his army 
consisting of 5752 men, to the American Generals Gates 
and Arnold, October 17. 

1783 Preliminary articles of peace between his Britannick Majesty 
and the Kings of France and Spain, signed at Versailles, 
January 20. 

1783 Armistice between Great Britain and Holland, Feb. 10. 
Ratification of the definitive treaty of peace between Great 

Britain, France, Spain, and the United States, Sept. 3. 

1784 The definitive treaty of peace between Great Britain and Hol¬ 

land, May 24. 

1788 George Washington was unanimously elected President of the 

United States, and John Adams, Vice President. 

1789 Congress met at New York, for the first time, under the new 

Constitution, March 4. 

April 30. George Washington was, in due form, publickly 
invested with the office of President of the United States 
of America, 

July 14. Revolution in France—Capture of the Bastille. 

1794 An embargo laid by Congress, which continued 60 days from 
March 26 

April, John Jay, Chief Justice of the United States, appoint¬ 
ed Envoy extraordinary to the Court of Great Britain. 

A Treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation negociated 
* with Great Britain, and signed by Mr. Jay and Lord 
Grenville, November 19, 

A New Legislature in France organized. 


348 CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 

After Christ. 

1797 March 3. George Washington retired from the Presi* 
dency of the United States, and John Adams succeeded 
in his place. 

1799 Dec. 14. George Washington died at Mount Vernon, 

in the 68-h year of his age ; much lamented by his fel¬ 
low citizens. 

1800 June. The seat of the Federal Government transferred from 

Philadelphia to the City of Washing i on. 

March 4. An^impnrtant revciurion took place in the admi- 

' nisrraticn tf .he AniCrican government. The Wash¬ 

ington and Adams successful administration closed, 
and the Jeffersonian commenced, which yet remains 
piedominant. v. 

March 23. Paul I. Emperer of the Russias, assassinated^ 
and his son Alexander I. declared his successor. 

April 5. Lord Nelson gained an important victory over th« 
Danish Heet before Copenhagen. 

Definitive Treaty of Peace between France, Holland, Spain, 
England and Germany, signed. 

1802 March 3. The famous bill for the repeal of the Judiciary- 
law, passed. 

March 6. Prmceton college, in New Jersey, burnt, supposed 
by an incendiary. 

1804 Buonaparte crowned Emperor of the Gauls. 


/ 





PHILADELPHIA; 

. Printed by^T. S. Manning, No. 143 N. Third5treet. 
















